Emissions and energy consumption of the Chinese steel industry decreased in January

In January 2025, Chinese steelmakers that are members of the CISA industry association reduced their overall energy consumption by 0.29% compared to the same period last year. Total energy consumption per tonne of steel decreased by 0.33% y/y, while electricity consumption per tonne of steel increased by 0.19%, according to the association.

Total electricity consumption grew by 3.13%, while the production of own electricity increased by 8.69%, which increased its share in the energy balance by 2.95 percentage points. Clean energy production in the sector grew by 40.23%, including solar energy – by 51.46%.

Water consumption by steel enterprises decreased by 1,574 cubic meters (by 0.20%). At the same time, water intake increased by 11.45%, while water recycling decreased by 0.39%. The overall water reuse rate remains high at 98.27%, although it is slightly lower than last year.

Wastewater discharges decreased by 3.14%, while ammonia and suspended solids concentrations in water decreased by 9.25% and 12.16%, respectively. At the same time, emissions of some chemical pollutants increased: volatile phenols – by 41.67%, total cyanides – by 60.47%, and oil pollution – by 1.58%.

Air pollutant emissions increased by 2.61%, but enterprises managed to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 12.64%, particulate matter by 3.55%, and nitrogen oxides by 12.54%.

The steel industry continues to make efficient use of solid industrial waste. The utilization rate of steelmaking slag, blast furnace slag and iron-containing dust remained above 97%. Combustible gas utilization, including blast furnace gas and coke oven gas, exceeded 98%. Blast furnace gas output decreased significantly, and its share in the overall balance sheet decreased by 0.13 p.p. The volume of converter gas utilization per tonne of steel increased by 4.68%.

In 2024, total emissions in China’s steel industry increased by 4.1% compared to 2023. Increased liquidity of blast furnace capacity compared to electric arc facilities increased emissions in the industry despite a decline in annual steel production.