Emissions in China’s steel industry rose by 20.8% y/y in July

Energy consumption in the industry increased by 0.1% y/y during the month

In July 2025, Chinese steel enterprises belonging to the CISA industry association increased their total emissions by 20.8% compared to July 2024. This is evidenced by the association’s data.

Despite the increase in the indicator, emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides in waste gases decreased by 13.1%, 1.5%, and 12.1% y/y, respectively.

Total energy consumption by participating companies in July increased by 0.1% y/y. Total energy consumption (electricity, gas, coal, etc.) per ton of steel fell by 0.5% y/y, and comparable consumption also fell by 0.5%. At the same time, electricity consumption per ton of steel increased by 1.2% y/y.

Total electricity consumption increased by 6.9% y/y. Own electricity production increased by 13.5% y/y, and its share in the total balance increased by 3.97 percentage points. Clean energy production increased by 49.5% y/y, including wind energy by 1300% and solar energy by 48.9%.

Water consumption by member companies of the association increased by 1.3% y-o-y. Water intake increased by 1.4% y-o-y, and reuse by 1.3%. The water reuse rate remained at 98.31%. Water consumption per ton of steel decreased by 3.1% y-o-y – to 2.58 cubic meters. Wastewater emissions decreased by 4.6% y-o-y.

The utilization rate of steelmaking slag, blast furnace slag, and iron-bearing dust remained above 98%. The use of combustible gases, including blast furnace, converter, and coke oven gas, exceeded 98%.

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