🏗️ More than 80 percent of China's steel production upgraded to ultra-low emissions

🏗️ More than 80 percent of China's steel production upgraded to ultra-low emissions

Emissions have already fallen by 34 million tonnes of CO2 – equivalent to permanently shutting down eight coal-fired power plants. The steel industry accounts for 7 percent of global emissions, and China produces more than half of the world's steel.

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  • Steel producers representing more than 80 percent of China's crude steel production have completed ultra-low emissions upgrades.
  • Emissions have already fallen by 34 million tonnes of CO2 – equivalent to permanently shutting down eight coal-fired power plants.
  • The steel industry accounts for 7 percent of global emissions, and China produces more than half of the world's steel.

By the end of 2025, steel producers representing more than 80 percent of China's crude steel production had completed ultra-low emissions upgrades, according to the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).

The steel industry is responsible for 7 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. China produces more than half of all steel in the world, making the country's emission levels in the sector particularly significant for global climate efforts.

The program started in 2019

The ultra-low emissions upgrade program was initiated through an official document in 2019: Opinions on Promoting the Implementation of Ultra-low Emissions in Iron and Steel Industry. It was later given further direction through the three-year action plan for energy efficiency in the steel industry, covering the period 2022–2025.

The program's requirements cover the entire steelmaking process – from raw material storage to modes of transportation – and set caps on pollutant emissions at every stage.

Energy consumption and emissions

According to CISA chairman Zhao Minge, a total of 143 steel producers nationwide had by the end of last year reduced their energy consumption by 2.5 percent in blast furnace ironmaking and 12.2 percent in converter steelmaking, compared to 2023 levels.

Over the same period, these companies cumulatively saved 13.2 million tonnes of standard coal. Carbon dioxide emissions fell by 34 million tonnes – a reduction equivalent to permanently shutting down eight coal-fired power plants.

Hydrogen and carbon recycling

China's steel industry has also made progress in low-carbon technologies. Baowu Group's 2,500-cubic-meter hydrogen-enriched carbon monoxide recycling furnace and Baosteel Zhanjiang's zero-carbon sheet plant have both been launched commercially in recent years.

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