A Baosteel subsidiary in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, recently launched China’s first million-ton-capacity near-zero carbon steel line. This facility utilizes a hydrogen-based shaft furnace and electric smelting to replace traditional coke with hydrogen during the manufacturing process.

According to operational data, the plant successfully reached its targets for high-hydrogen smelting and direct reduced iron quality. By using scrap steel and direct reduced iron (DRI), the site aims to slash carbon emissions by 50% to 80% compared to traditional steel production methods.

The project leader expects the facility to prevent more than 3.14 million tons of carbon emissions annually. This transition to hydrogen metallurgy represents a significant step in reducing the industry's historical dependence on fossil fuels for large-scale steel production.