经济观察报采访过程中，多家钢铁企业、焦化企业均认为，氢 冶金是钢铁行业的未来，未来焦炭使用量势必减少，但焦炉煤 气中含有的氢气，反而可能成为钢铁企业的新需求点。 作者：潘俊田 封图：图虫创意 曾经被用来"点天灯"的焦炉煤气，正被视为山西焦化业未来的增长点。 山西是焦化大省。山西焦化总产能约有1.42亿吨，已建成的焦炉产能达1.18亿吨。2024年山西焦 炭产量9211.6万吨，占全国18.8%，位居全国第一。这些焦炭绝大部分作为原料，供应给山西省 内及周边省份的钢铁厂。 但国内钢铁产量已趋于稳定。2021年全国粗钢产量约10.3亿吨，2024年产量约10.05亿吨。钢厂 利润持续走低，2021年热卷年均生产利润约800元/吨，2024年已不足100元/吨。 受钢铁行业下行影响，山西焦化行业增长承压。2024年，山西焦化行业工业增加值增速全年累计 下降0.4%，全行业实现营收2356亿元，同比下降12.1%，实现利润-69.3亿元，同比增亏30.9 亿元。 在此背景下，山西焦化企业将目光投向炼焦过程中的各类副产品——如煤焦油、焦炉煤气甚至余 热，试图通过延伸煤化工产业链寻求突破。 苗茂谦是太原理工大学教授、原太 ...

Core Insights - The focus of the Shanxi coking industry is shifting towards the utilization of by-products from the coking process, particularly coke oven gas, as a growth point for the future [2][9] Industry Overview - Shanxi is a major coking province with a total coking capacity of approximately 142 million tons and an established coke oven capacity of 118 million tons [2] - In 2024, Shanxi's coke production is projected to be 92.116 million tons, accounting for 18.8% of the national total, making it the largest producer in China [2] - The domestic steel production has stabilized, with crude steel output expected to decrease from approximately 1.03 billion tons in 2021 to about 1.005 billion tons in 2024 [2] - The profitability of steel mills has declined significantly, with average production profits for hot-rolled coils dropping from around 800 RMB/ton in 2021 to less than 100 RMB/ton in 2024 [2] Financial Performance - The Shanxi coking industry is facing pressure, with an expected industrial added value growth rate decline of 0.4% in 2024, and total revenue projected at 235.6 billion RMB, a year-on-year decrease of 12.1% [2] - The industry is anticipated to incur a loss of 6.93 billion RMB in 2024, an increase in losses by 3.09 billion RMB compared to the previous year [2] By-product Utilization - The focus is on the recovery and utilization of various by-products from the coking process, such as coal tar and coke oven gas, to extend the coal chemical industry chain [2][3] - Coke oven gas has a high hydrogen content of about 60%, making it a valuable resource for hydrogen production [4] Hydrogen Production Potential - Shanxi can produce over 40 billion Nm³ of coke oven gas annually, with approximately 55% of it available for hydrogen extraction, representing a total development potential of over 13 billion Nm³ per year [5] - The cost of hydrogen production from coke oven gas is estimated to be between 10 to 12 RMB/kg, significantly lower than the local green hydrogen cost of around 20 RMB/kg [6] Industry Trends - There is a growing trend among Shanxi coking enterprises to enhance the utilization of coke oven gas for hydrogen production, with many companies actively investing in hydrogen energy projects [6][7] - The development of hydrogen energy heavy trucks has created new application scenarios for hydrogen produced from coke oven gas, with several companies already deploying hydrogen energy trucks [7][8] Future Outlook - The coking industry is expected to transition from a focus on coke production to a greater emphasis on coke oven gas, particularly as hydrogen metallurgy becomes more viable [9] - The industry is exploring various technological routes for steel production, including electric furnaces and hydrogen direct reduction, to reduce carbon emissions [9][10]

Core Insights - The article highlights the ecological restoration efforts of Angang Steel Group at the Dagu Mountain Iron Mine, which has transitioned from mining operations to a focus on environmental sustainability and green development [1][3]. Group 1: Ecological Restoration - The Dagu Mountain Iron Mine, operational since 1916, has produced over 300 million tons of iron ore and 800 million tons of waste rock. Following its closure last year, ecological restoration has commenced, aiming to fill the mine over the next 13 years using 440 million tons of tailings [1]. - The restoration project will integrate the mine with surrounding scenic areas, potentially creating a geological park and agricultural land in the future [1]. Group 2: Green Transformation Initiatives - Angang Steel is committed to green transformation as a response to the dual carbon goals, moving away from traditional practices to embrace new green development methods [1][3]. - The company has implemented advanced technologies in its production processes, such as upgrading to 7.6-meter top-charging coke ovens and utilizing smart inspection robots, which have significantly reduced pollutant emissions and improved energy recovery [3]. - A new hydrogen metallurgy pilot production line has been launched, using green hydrogen instead of coke, aiming for near-zero carbon emissions in the iron-making process [3]. Group 3: Sustainable Product Development - Angang Steel has invested over 1 billion yuan in a new silicon steel project, enabling the mass production of low-loss silicon steel for electric vehicle motors, thereby supporting the green transition of various industries [5].

Core Viewpoint - The news highlights the green transformation efforts of Ansteel Group, focusing on ecological restoration and sustainable practices in the steel industry, particularly through the rehabilitation of the Dagu Mountain Iron Mine and the adoption of advanced technologies in production processes [1][2][3][4] Group 1: Ecological Restoration - Ansteel has initiated ecological restoration at the Dagu Mountain Iron Mine, which has a surface area exceeding 10 square kilometers and a depth of 426 meters, using tailings to fill the pit over the next 13 years [1] - The mine has produced over 300 million tons of iron ore and 800 million tons of rock since its opening in 1916, and the restoration will help connect it with nearby scenic areas, potentially creating a geological park and farmland [1] - The restoration process will consume 440 million tons of iron ore tailings, providing a solution for tailings disposal and preventing ecological damage from open-air storage [1] Group 2: Green Transformation Initiatives - Ansteel is committed to green transformation as a key to its future, aligning with national goals for economic and social development [2] - The company has implemented new technologies and processes in production to minimize ecological impacts, emphasizing that green transformation is essential for the steel industry [2] - Ansteel has upgraded its coking facilities, replacing old capacity with advanced technology, including intelligent inspection robots and centralized energy control, leading to reduced emissions and efficient energy recovery [3] Group 3: Innovative Production Techniques - Ansteel has developed a green hydrogen metallurgy pilot production line, replacing traditional carbon reduction processes with green hydrogen, aiming for near-zero carbon emissions in ironmaking [3] - The company has invested over 1 billion yuan in a new silicon steel project, enabling mass production of low-loss silicon steel for electric vehicle motors, supporting the green transition of various industries [4] - The production facilities are powered entirely by green electricity, showcasing Ansteel's commitment to sustainable practices in its operations [4]

Core Viewpoint - Ansteel Group is actively pursuing green transformation and ecological restoration initiatives, particularly at the Dagu Mountain Iron Mine, to align with national carbon reduction goals and enhance sustainable development [1][4]. Group 1: Ecological Restoration Efforts - The Dagu Mountain Iron Mine, which has been operational since 1916, has produced over 300 million tons of iron ore and 800 million tons of waste rock, and is now undergoing ecological restoration after its closure [1]. - Ansteel is utilizing tailings for ecological restoration, planning to fill the mine over the next 13 years, which will consume 440 million tons of iron ore tailings, thus preventing land occupation and ecological damage from open-air storage [1]. - The transformation of the former mining site into an ecological park has been ongoing since 2004, turning a barren landscape into a popular ecological destination [2]. Group 2: Green Production Initiatives - Ansteel is implementing advanced technologies and processes to minimize environmental impacts in steel production, including the upgrade of coking facilities to reduce emissions and enhance energy recovery [4]. - The company has developed a green hydrogen metallurgy pilot production line, replacing traditional carbon reduction methods with green hydrogen, aiming for near-zero carbon emissions in the iron-making process [4]. - Ansteel has invested over 1 billion yuan in a new silicon steel project, enabling mass production of low-loss silicon steel for electric vehicle motors, supporting the green transition of various industries [6].

Core Viewpoint - The steel industry in China faces significant challenges in achieving a green and low-carbon transformation, with carbon emissions accounting for approximately 15% of the national total, necessitating a comprehensive approach to overcome resource constraints, technological bottlenecks, and rising cost pressures [1][2]. Group 1: Current Status and Challenges - The steel industry has made progress in green low-carbon transformation through digitalization and ultra-low emission projects, with around 600 million tons of crude steel capacity undergoing ultra-low emission upgrades by July this year [2]. - Despite these efforts, the carbon emissions per ton of steel in China remain higher than international advanced levels, and the existing reduction potential is diminishing, requiring fundamental technological breakthroughs for deep decarbonization [2][3]. - The implementation of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 2026 may increase export costs for Chinese steel products, impacting the competitiveness of certain enterprises [2]. Group 2: Technological and Policy Bottlenecks - Low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen metallurgy and electric furnace processes are still in the early stages of commercialization, with high production costs and challenges in market promotion [3]. - The regulatory framework supporting deep decarbonization in the steel industry is not yet fully developed, with issues in quota allocation, market activity, and carbon pricing mechanisms that hinder effective incentives for low-carbon technology adoption [3]. - There are structural challenges in resource allocation, including difficulties in green electricity consumption and the large-scale application of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies [3][5]. Group 3: Recommendations for Acceleration - Strengthening technological innovation and industry-wide collaboration is essential, focusing on key technologies like hydrogen metallurgy and efficient electric furnace processes, while promoting the establishment of near-zero carbon emission demonstration plants [4]. - Innovating market mechanisms and stimulating demand for green products by integrating low-carbon steel procurement into green certification systems and reforming the carbon market to support companies adopting deep decarbonization technologies [4][5]. - Optimizing policy coordination and institutional support by implementing differentiated policies for long and short process steel mills, enhancing financing mechanisms for hydrogen metallurgy projects, and establishing cross-departmental coordination [4][5].

Group 1 - In 2024, global crude steel production is projected to be 1.886 billion tons, with China accounting for 1.005 billion tons, the US at 79.5 million tons (down 2.4% year-on-year), and India at 149.6 million tons (up 6.3% year-on-year) [1][3] - The US steel industry faces challenges such as low iron ore content, reliance on imports for 80% of its supply, and rising costs due to tariffs and freight [3] - India's steel production has increased significantly since the 2017 national steel policy, with a target of 300 million tons by 2030, but it still relies on imports for high-end steel [5][7] Group 2 - India's per capita steel consumption is around 70 kg, significantly lower than the global average, indicating potential for growth, but high-end steel production remains a challenge [5][7] - The Indian government plans to invest 50 billion rupees in 2025 to upgrade technology and improve efficiency, with major companies like Tata and JSW focusing on automation [7][11] - China's steel production is expected to decrease to 986 million tons in 2025 as part of a strategy for capacity reduction and green transformation [11][15] Group 3 - The US is projected to see a slight recovery in steel production to 81 million tons in 2025, with a focus on green technology and self-sufficiency [13] - The global steel production forecast for 2025 is approximately 1.82 billion tons, with low-carbon and high-end production as key themes [13][15] - The competition among China, India, and the US in the steel industry is intensifying, with each country leveraging different strategies to enhance production and market position [15][16]

Core Insights - The article highlights the successful launch of the world's first 10,000-ton green electricity and green hydrogen fluidized bed hydrogen metallurgy pilot line by Ansteel Group, which significantly reduces carbon emissions in iron production [1][4] - The transition from traditional carbon metallurgy to hydrogen metallurgy is emphasized as a crucial step for the steel industry to achieve green transformation and reduce carbon emissions [3][4] Group 1: Technological Innovations - Ansteel Group's pilot line utilizes green electricity generated from wind power to electrolyze water for hydrogen production, achieving near-zero carbon emissions per ton of iron produced [1] - The project involved overcoming challenges in raw material reaction performance and developing iron ore pelletizing modification technology to produce stable spherical particles [2] - The pilot line has achieved a metalization rate of over 95% in the produced direct reduced iron, meeting the quality requirements for high-end materials such as automotive and electrical steel [2] Group 2: Operational Challenges and Solutions - Maintaining continuous and stable operation of the reduction system was a significant challenge, requiring 24-hour emergency repairs and innovative solutions to prevent blockages [2] - Various operational issues were encountered during the trial runs, including hydrogen supply disruptions and equipment malfunctions, which were systematically resolved through optimization efforts [2] Group 3: Future Directions - Ansteel Group plans to advance the industrialization of fluidized bed hydrogen metallurgy technology to a scale of 500,000 tons, aiming to enhance the economic viability of the technology [3] - The company has implemented over 1,100 ultra-low emission transformation projects during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, significantly reducing major pollutant emissions and energy consumption per ton of steel [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the successful launch of the world's first 10,000-ton green electricity and green hydrogen fluidized bed hydrogen metallurgy pilot line by Ansteel Group, marking a significant step towards achieving near-zero carbon emissions in iron production [1][4]. Group 1: Project Overview - The pilot line utilizes green electricity generated from wind power to electrolyze water for hydrogen production, which is then used to reduce iron ore pellets, achieving nearly zero carbon emissions per ton of iron produced [1][4]. - The project was initiated in September 2022 in collaboration with several research institutions, focusing on developing new technologies and processes for hydrogen metallurgy [2][4]. Group 2: Technical Innovations - Key innovations include the development of iron ore powder granulation modification technology to produce spherical particles and the establishment of stable operational parameters for continuous production [2][3]. - The pilot line has successfully produced over 150 tons of direct reduced iron with a metalization rate exceeding 95%, suitable for high-end materials like automotive and electrical steel [3][4]. Group 3: Industry Impact - The steel industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for 15% of the national total, making the transition from carbon metallurgy to hydrogen metallurgy crucial for achieving carbon neutrality [4]. - Ansteel Group's pilot line represents a significant advancement in domestic technology, achieving 100% localization of key equipment and forming a complete set of proprietary technology and processes [4]. Group 4: Future Plans - Looking ahead, Ansteel Group aims to further develop the 500,000-ton industrialization plan for fluidized bed hydrogen metallurgy technology, enhancing economic viability and contributing to the green transformation of the steel industry [3][4].

Group 1: Industry Overview - The steel industry in China is accelerating its green transformation, with significant developments in green steel production and technology [1][2][3] - The urgency for the steel industry's green transition is highlighted by its status as a major carbon emitter, with over 60% of global steel emissions originating from China [3][7] - The introduction of carbon trading in the national carbon market is pushing steel companies to participate in carbon reduction efforts [1][3] Group 2: Technological Advancements - Hebei Province is leading the way in establishing a modern steel industry with the introduction of the first local standard for green low-carbon steel products [2] - Major companies like Baosteel and Hebei Iron and Steel are implementing innovative projects, such as hydrogen metallurgy and electric furnace technologies, to reduce carbon footprints [2][4] - The development of hydrogen metallurgy technology is crucial for achieving green steel production, with ongoing efforts to optimize hydrogen reduction processes [8] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The inventory of steel products has decreased, indicating a shift in market dynamics as companies adjust strategies to focus on green steel production [4] - The competitiveness of green steel products is increasing, with successful exports to the EU demonstrating the potential for large-scale application of green steel technologies [4][7] - The global steel market is facing increased pressure due to the upcoming EU carbon border adjustment mechanism, which could raise costs for Chinese steel exports [3][7] Group 4: Challenges and Future Outlook - Despite progress, the green steel industry faces challenges related to technology costs, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks that need to be addressed for large-scale implementation [5][6] - The next five to ten years are seen as a critical window for the transformation of China's green steel industry, with expectations for significant breakthroughs in hydrogen metallurgy [7][8] - A unified national carbon accounting system and infrastructure for hydrogen transport are essential for supporting the growth of the green steel sector [7][8]