If
Nippon Steel can successfully develop the technology use hydrogen in place of
convention coal in steelmaking, it could cut CO2 emissions by up to 50%.
Nippon Steel is moving toward a next-generation
steelmaking technology that significantly reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Conventionally,
steel is produced from iron oxides extracted from iron ore, the raw material.
Oxygen is removed through a chemical reaction (reduction) with coal (carbon),
resulting in CO2 emissions. This involves about two tons of CO2 emissions per
ton of steel produced.
In the next-generation technology, hydrogen plays the role of coal. At its test
facility, Nippon Steel has achieved 33% less emissions, the world's highest
emissions reduction for steelmaking.