Emissions in China’s steel industry increased by 6.6% y/y in January-September

Emissions of sulfur dioxide per ton of steel were 0.21 kg/t, smoke and dust – 0.25 kg/t, nitrogen oxide – 0.42 kg/t

In January-September 2023, total emissions in China’s steel industry increased by 6.65% compared to the same period in 2022. China iron and Steel Association (CISA) informs about it.

Emissions of sulfur dioxide per ton of steel amounted to 0.21 kg/t (-11.7% y/y), smoke and dust – 0.25 kg/t (-11.6% y/y), oxide nitrogen – 0.42 kg/t (-12.8% y/y). Emissions of sulfur dioxide and solid particles decreased by 14.92% and 14.88%, respectively.

The total volume of water used by steel enterprises in January-September increased by 2.3% y/y – up to 71.19 billion cubic meters. In particular, new water intake decreased by 3.2% y/y, and reuse increased by 2.4% y/y. The level of water reuse was 98.2%, which is 0.1 percentage points more y/y.

The production of steel slag by Chinese steelmakers for January-September 2023 amounted to 66.42 million tons, which is 0.06% more y/y. Blast furnace slag output increased by 1.85% y/y – up to 173.2 million tons. The utilization rate of steelmaking slag was 98.44%, (+0.55 percentage point y/y), of blast furnace slag – 99.5%, (+0.33 percentage point year/year).

Blast furnace gas production amounted to 730.2 billion cubic meters, which is 0.25% more y/y, converter – 63.2 billion cubic meters (+1.53% y/y), and coke – 44.4 billion cubic meters. The coefficient of use of blast furnace gas was 98.6%, which is 0.3 percentage points more in January-September 2022, converter gas – 98.6% (+0.13 percentage point y/y), coke gas – 98.5% (-0.24 percentage point y/y).

As GMK Center reported earlier, China in September 2023 reduced steel production by 5% compared to the previous month – to 82.11 million tons. The decline in steel smelting indicators continues for the third month in a row, in September volumes were the lowest since the beginning of the year. In 9 months of 2023, the country increased steel production by 1.7% y/y – up to 795.07 million tons.