In July 1949, New Jersey Zinc Inc. obtained a patent on a brand-new electrical reduction process that extracted titanium dioxide and iron from solid ilmenite. This major development led to the founding of Quebec Iron and Titanium Corporation. The innovative process was also unique in that it recuperated carbon monoxide for use as fuel during other production stages.

From the moment the plant was operational, a research program was launched. The challenge? To stabilize the process and ensure consistent product grade and quality. QIT engineers, technicians and operators all contributed to meeting this challenge. Customers, too, played a key role by informing QIT of problems that arose when using the products. In 1957, after seven years of hard work, the process was mastered.

Efforts to improve the process have nonetheless continued, resulting in accomplishments such as increased furnace capacity and energy power, enhanced energy efficiency, and fine-tuning the loading and automation system.