Oman’s Jindal Shadeed Iron and Steel (JSIS), the largest privately-owned integrated steel producer in the GCC region, has announced a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at significantly reducing its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the company said in a press release.
One of the key initiatives undertaken by JSIS is the establishment of a pilot plant for Carbon Capture Unit (CCU). In collaboration with a renowned US company, JSIS is working towards setting up a pilot plant that has the capacity to capture 7.5 tons of CO2 per day from flue gas. The successful implementation of this pilot plant will pave the way for a commercial-scale CO2 capture facility. The captured CO2 can be utilized in various ways, including converting it into valuable resources like CO or Syngas, liquefying it for transport, utilizing it in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), or sequestering it in rocks underground. These initiatives are projected to result in a saving of 700,000 tons of CO2 per year by 2027, once they reach full commercial scale, according to the company.
JSIS has also revolutionized its production process through the introduction of the world’s first Hot Link technology. This innovative gravity feeding system allows for the direct transfer of Hot Direct Reduced Iron (HDRI) into the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), eliminating the need for pneumatic conveying or vessel transport. By optimizing this process, JSIS has achieved substantial power savings, leading to an annual reduction of 220,000 tons of CO2 in the DRI and Steel Melting Shop (SMS) operations.
Furthermore, JSIS has implemented measures to optimize natural gas (NG) consumption. Various strategies, such as maximizing HDRI production control, continuous operation of the DR Plant, utilization of top gas fuel in the Reformer, and optimizing NG quality, have been employed. As a result, JSIS has already achieved a significant reduction of 18,000 tons of CO2 per year.
JSIS is also committed to reducing power consumption across its operations. At the DRI plant, strategies such as minimizing HBI production, effective equipment utilization, upgrading illumination fixtures, and installing capacitor banks have resulted in substantial power savings. Similarly, at the SMS, increased oxygen injection and the introduction of an EAF swing door have led to significant energy savings. JSIS has also focused on electrode-specific consumption to enhance energy efficiency. Advanced techniques such as electrode coating and increased water spray cooling have significantly reduced electrode consumption. Collectively, these efforts have resulted in an impressive reduction of 45,000 tons of CO2 per year.
JSIS benefits from its strategic location, which includes a captive jetty, enabling the company to have efficient inland logistics and save 22,000 tons of CO2 per year.
JSIS currently operates with an annual steel production capacity of 2.4 mln tons. The mill comprises a 1.8 mln tons per annum gas-based DRI Plant producing HBI and hot DRI. The 2.4 mln tons per annum melt shop is primarily equipped with a 200-ton electric arc furnace, a 200-ton ladle furnace, a 200-ton vacuum degassing furnace, and continuous casting machines. Additionally, the company operates a 1.4 mln tons per annum rebar rolling mill.
