As a part of our widespread efforts toward achieving a decarbonized society, by adopting “Nippon Steel Carbon Neutral Vision 2050 – A Challenge of Zero-Carbon Steel” as our own new initiative, Nippon steel will consider and implement various measures as a top priority management issue.

Related materials

Challenge of Zero-Carbon Steel

We have decided to actively work to achieve zero-carbon steel as a top priority management issue, and have established a new "Key Phrase" to summarize our environmental management and an "Activity Logo" to represent our activities as our "Environmental Brand Mark". We will make a concerted effort to tackle these extremely difficult issues.

Key Phrase

Activity Logo

Zero-Carbon Steel: Our CO₂ emissions reduction scenario

2030 Target

30% or more reduction in total CO₂ emissions vs. 2013

[Means]

• Actual implementation of the COURSE50 in the existing BF and BOF process
• Reduction of CO₂ emissions in existing processes
• Establishment of an efficient production framework

Vision 2050

Aim to become carbon neutral

[Means]

• Mass-production of high-grade steel in large size EAFs
• Hydrogen reduction steelmaking (by Super-COURSE50 use of BFs; direct reduction of 100% hydrogen)
• Multi-aspect approach, including CCUS^* and other carbon offset measures,

Carbon neutral steelmaking process

Our roadmap of CO₂ emissions reduction measures

Technological challenges and required external conditions

Production of high-grade steel in large scale EAF

Technological challenge

• Scrap: Elimination of the effect of hazardous impurities using DRI
• EAF: Improvement of productivity with larger scale and higher efficiency

External conditions

• Cost-effective fossil-free power

Hydrogen injection into BF (COURSE50, Super-COURSE50)

Technological challenge

• Preheating and injection of high-temp hydrogen for endothermic reactions
• Stable gas flow in BF with less coke
• Scaling-up from experimental to actual super-large-scale BF
• Establishment of the technology to offset remaining CO₂ emissions (CCUS)

External conditions

• Implementation of CCU and CCS
• Large supply of carbon-free hydrogen

100% hydrogen use in direct reduction

Technological challenge

• Establishment of the technology of hydrogen direct reduction

External conditions

• Large-amount supply of carbon-free hydrogen

Challenges to realize zero-carbon steel and collaboration with society

Take on the challenge to develop and practically implement breakthrough technologies ahead of the other countries to realize zero-carbon steel, as Nippon Steel’s top priority issue, which is essential for Japan’s steel industry to continue to lead the world and to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of Japanese industry in general.

3 factors to increase costs for the zero-carbon steel project

• Huge R&D costs
• Huge CAPEX for practical implementation
• Increase in operational cost, even if inexpensive carbon free hydrogen and zero-emission power are to be secured

The production cost of crude steel may more than double the current cost.

3 collaborations required for realizing zero-carbon steel

• A national strategy to realize a “virtuous cycle of environment and growth”
  Long-term and continuous government support for R&D in the field of breakthrough innovation etc.
  Establishment of inexpensive and stable large-scale hydrogen supply infrastructure
  Realization of carbon free power at an international competitive cost
  Promotion of national projects for the development and commercialization of CCUS
• Realization of government’s comprehensive policies to secure equal-footing in international competition, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and lead to business chances
• Formation of consensus on the issue of cost bearing by society
  Establishing a system for society as a whole to bear the enormous costs of realizing of zero-carbon, such as R&D costs, CAPEX for replacing existing facilities, and significant increase in production costs.