China Baowu Steel Group has commissioned its first 1-mln-ton-per-year near-zero carbon steel production line in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, marking a major step forward in hydrogen-based steelmaking.
The new line uses hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) and scrap steel, replacing traditional coke in the smelting process. Baowu said the technology can reduce carbon emissions by 50-80pct compared with conventional production routes, with potential annual CO2 reductions of more than 3.14 mln tons.
The commissioning aligns with Baowu’s long-term decarbonization targets, which include peaking carbon emissions, cutting emissions by 30pct by 2035, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Headquartered in Shanghai, China Baowu is the world’s largest steel producer. The group produced over 130 mln tons of steel last year.
