New method from China for making iron is cheaper, eco-friendlier, and 3,600-fold faster

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3289441/chinas-explosive-ironmaking-breakthrough-achieves-3600-fold-productivity-boost?module=latest_china_science&pgtype=topic

"injecting finely ground iron ore powder into an extremely hot furnace triggering chemical reaction... bright red, glowing liquid iron droplets rain down/ collect at furnace bottom, forming high-purity iron stream directly usable for casting (1-step steelmaking)... 3 to 6 second (instead of 5 to 6 hour) ironmaking... also works exceptionally well for low/r medium-yield ores... could improve China’s steel industry energy use efficiency by more than one-third... eliminates the need for coal entirely”