

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and China: a strategic partnership of more than five decades
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has maintained a long-term partnership with China and was one of the first companies in the world to export iron ore to the country, contributing to the development of its steel industry since the early years of economic expansion.
Today, the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s presence in China goes far beyond the supply of raw materials: ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ positions itself as a trusted long-term partner of China and is committed in contributing to China¡¯s dual carbon goals and high-quality development.
Through collaboration with Chinese partners across the steel vale chain, shipping, logistics, technology, research, and innovation sectors, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is contributing to the development of greener industrial solutions and more sustainable global supply chains.
Where is ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ located in China?
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has three offices in China, strategically located in Shanghai, Beijing, and Qingdao. These facilities strengthen the company¡¯s local presence and support relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders throughout the value chain.

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½'s Archive
What do we do in China?
Today, China is not only ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s largest market, but also a strategic partner in innovation, industrial transformation, and sustainable development. In addition to supplying high-quality mineral and metal products, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ works closely with Chinese partners across a broad ecosystem that includes logistics, shipbuilding, equipment manufacturing, digitalization, renewable energy, and low-carbon technologies.
At the same time, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is actively collaborating with Chinese customers, universities, research institutions, ports, and shipping companies to accelerate industrial decarbonization and the development of greener supply chains.
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1973
First shipment of iron ore sent to China.
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1978
The first long-term contract was signed with China.
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1985
Start of regular iron ore sales in the country.
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1994
Opening of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s first office in China, in Shanghai.
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2006
China establishes itself as ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s largest global market.
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2008
Establishment of the Procurement China team in Shanghai, resulting in win-win partnerships with many leading Chinese suppliers.
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2009
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Minerals (China) Co., Ltd. (VMC) was established.
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2015
Expansion of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s institutional presence with the opening of the Beijing office.
First fully-loaded ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½max vessel berthed at a Chinese port.
Launch of partnerships with Chinese ports for iron ore blending operations, leading to the development of Brazilian Blend Fines (BRBF).
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2016
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Metals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (VMS) was established.
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2019
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s third office in China was opened in Qingdao.
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2020
Start of partnership with Chinese concentration plants on iron ore concentration operations, resulting in the launch of the Pellet Feed China #1 (PFC1).
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2024
Launch of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½-CSU Joint Laboratory for Low Carbon and Hydrogen Metallurgy in Changsha city, Hunan Province.
Beyond operations
Frequently asked questions
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has three offices in China, located in the following cities:
- Shanghai: Opened in 1994, it is the headquarters of ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ China.
- Beijing: Opened in 2015.
- Qingdao: Opened in 2019.
China is not only ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s largest market, but also a key sourcing country for a wide range of equipment, consumables, and services. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ established its Procurement China team in Shanghai as early as 2008, and since then has successfully established win-win partnerships with many leading Chinese suppliers.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s procurement activities in China cover a broad range of areas, including mining, mineral processing, railway transportation, maritime transportation, port operations, and construction projects.
The products made in China have played an important role in supporting the company¡¯s operational excellence and energy transition
Since 2020, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has been partnering with Chinese concentration plants on iron ore concentration operations, launching and selling Pellet Feed China #1 (PFC1). Derived from ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s run?of?mine (ROM) iron ore extracted in Brazil and processed at Chinese concentration plants, PFC1 is suitable for both sintering and pelletizing.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ is committed to improving the lives of people in the communities where it is present and actively fulfills its corporate social responsibility in China. Since 2008, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has been partnering with China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF) in support of Project Hope, assisting the construction of six ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Hope Primary Schools in China.
Since 2024, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ has also been partnering with China Development Research Foundation (CDRF) in support of the ¡°One Village One Preschool: Village Early Education Center (OVOP)¡± Program. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½¡¯s contribution is primarily used to support the implementation of the program in Fugong County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan province, including providing subsidies for kindergarten staff and volunteer teachers in the county.

