ArcelorMittal and SEKISUI CHEMICAL have been partnering on a project to capture and reuse CO₂ emitted during steelmaking. As part of this partnership, the two companies have been supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan’s national research and development agency, and have launched an “International collaboration on CCU for circular carbon in Steelmaking” (hereafter, the NEDO project), scheduled for three years from 2021.

   One of the research topics is to develop a fundamental technology for Synthesis Gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) production using SEKISUI CHEMICAL’s unique chemical looping technology.

  Through tests using actual blast furnace gas at ArcelorMittal's plant in Asturias, Spain, a CO₂ conversion rate of 90% and a hydrogen conversion rate of 75% has been achieved, higher than the project target of a CO₂ conversion rate of 85% or higher and a hydrogen conversion rate of 60% or higher using this technology.^*1 . To obtain these results, it was important to carry out a CO₂ capture process reaching 90% of CO₂ purity.

  As a next step, the two companies will further optimise the conditions, replace the catalyst with a high-performance one, and conduct a long-term test with a higher reaction yield by December 2023. At the same time, they will consider new projects to demonstrate the ability to scale up the new technology.

  Steelmaking accounts for 7-9 percent of global CO₂ emissions. The blast furnace process in particular, which produces pig iron from iron ore, accounts for about 70% of CO₂ emissions in the steel industry, and therefore reducing these emissions is a major challenge for the steel industry. In the NEDO project, CO₂ separated and captured from blast furnace gas is converted to Synthesis Gas (a mixture of CO and H₂) through a chemical process. The converted syngas is introduced into the blast furnace as a reduction agent to replace coke (CCU for carbon circulation in steelmaking). Through the project, the companies will demonstrate technologies that contribute to the effective use of CO₂ and CO₂ reduction.

  In addition to completing the NEDO project, both companies aim to launch a new project to demonstrate the ability to scale up for commercialization.

About SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group

Headquartered in Japan, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (TSE: 4204) and its subsidiaries make up the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group. 26,000 employees in over 180 companies throughout 21 countries and regions aim to contribute to improving the lives of the people of the world and the earth’s environment. Thanks to a history of innovation, dedication and a pioneering spirit, SEKISUI CHEMICAL now holds leading positions in its three diverse business divisions as well as top global market share in interlayer film, foam products, conductive particles and more.
Since its foundation in 1947, the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group has dedicated itself to social and environmental contribution and is now an internationally recognized leader in sustainability and environmental initiatives, having recently been selected as one of the Global 100 most sustainable companies. SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group will continue to maintain a strong corporate presence for 100 years and beyond.