JFE Steel Corporation today reported that it is moving ahead with two R&D projects to develop technologies that will use CO₂ in steelmaking processes that are expected to help the company eventually to become carbon neutral. One project is a partnership with the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (“RITE”) aimed at optimizing a system that uses CO₂ for methanol synthesis. The other project is a partnership with Ehime University that is researching and developing CO₂-fixing technology based on fast, large-quantity carbonation of steel slag.

As a result of continued progress with both projects, JFE Steel has now approved the construction of test facilities for making use of steelmaking byproducts, including steel slag and combustible gasses such as blast furnace gas. Facilities at its JFE Steel West Japan Works (Fukuyama Area) and East Japan Works (Chiba Area) will accelerate R&D initiatives aimed at significantly reducing CO₂ emissions through more effective use of steelmaking byproducts.

System for Methanol Synthesis Using CO₂

• Construction at the JFE Steel West Japan Works (Fukuyama Area) will begin this year and the facilities will enter operation in 2023. Demonstration testing is to be completed within 2025.
• R&D will focus on the commercial launch of a large-scale carbon capture and utilization (CCU) process for be incorporated in a to-be-decided steelmaking method, such one using carbon-recycling blast furnaces.

CO₂-fixing through Fast, Large-quantity Carbonation of Steel Slag

• Construction at the JFE Steel East Japan Works (Chiba Area) will begin in next year and the facilities will enter operation in 2024. Demonstration testing is to be completed within 2025.
• R&D will focus on the fixation (assimilation) of CO₂ generated by steelmaking processes, such as those involving carbon-recycling blast furnaces, and also by thermal power plants, to produce CO₂-fixed steel slag for use in road construction.

The facilities for both projects will be built in response to the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (“NEDO”) ’s public invitation to companies and organizations to participate in an umbrella project targeting the development of technologies for carbon recycling and next-generation thermal power generation and also for reducing CO₂ emissions and utilizing CO₂. NEDO will conduct interim assessments within this year and then formulate detailed plans for both projects in/after the fiscal year beginning in April 2023.

In May 2021, JFE announced its JFE Group Environmental Vision for 2050, which places a top priority on addressing climate change, based on which the group is now vigorously exploring a number of viable solutions. Going forward, JFE will continue pursuing a multitrack approach to developing ultra-innovative technologies that will contribute to a more sustainable world.

For more information about related R&D activities, please see:
Novel Processes for Manufacturing Valuable Materials Using Coal-Derived CO₂ Selected for NEDO Projects (news release issued on October 15, 2021)

About JFE Steel Corporation

JFE Steel Corporation, one of the world’s leading integrated steel producers, was established through the consolidation of NKK Corporation and Kawasaki Steel Corporation in 2003. The company operates several steelworks in Japan and numerous branch offices and affiliates throughout the world. JFE Steel leverages world-class technologies and know-how to produce a wide range of products based on its “Only One, Number One” strategy of focusing on unique and best-in-class products. The company reported consolidated sales of 2,255 billion yen and consolidated crude steel output of 23.96 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 2021.

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