Technological roadmap towards optimal decarbonization development of China's iron and steel industry

China's iron and steel (IS) industry contributes approximately 16% of the nation's total CO2 emissions. This study evaluates the environmental impact of each step in the production process based on the life cycle assessment method. It then explores potential deep decarbonisation pathways, developing an integrated dynamic model to meet the carbon neutrality target. The results reveal three primary findings. (1) In 2020, the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace contributed significantly to the global warming potential-1.77 E-8 kg CO2 equivalents per year (eq/yr) higher than the electric arc furnace-and the blast furnace process makes the largest contribution in ironmaking (8.9E-9 kg CO2 eq/yr). (2) Converter negative energy steelmaking technology has the highest energy savings at 39.07 million tons of coal equivalent (Mtce) and an emissions-reduction potential of 72.01 Mt. Its mitigation cost is 69 CNY/t CO2, followed by thick-layer sintering (30.21 Mtce, 61.21 Mt. and 70 CNY/t CO2) and the application of dry vacuum system for molten steel degassing circulation (26.17 Mtce, 56.03 Mt. and 102 CNY/t CO2). (3) Technological improvement could significantly impact the IS industry, reducing CO2 emissions through production structure improvement, technological development and ultra-low emissions technology, from 789 Mt. in a business-as-usual scenario to 516 Mt., 261 Mt. and 157 Mt. in 2060, respectively.

Automated summary

This study evaluates the environmental impact of China's iron and steel industry and explores deep decarbonisation pathways. The blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace process has a significant contribution to global warming potential, while converter negative energy steelmaking technology has the highest energy savings. Technological improvement can significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the industry.