POSCO completes Korea's largest electric arc furnace for low-carbon steel production

koreatimes.co.kr

by retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 points

POSCO has finished building Korea's largest electric arc furnace at its Gwangyang steelworks, with a 2.5 million ton annual capacity. The 600 billion won facility uses recycled steel scrap instead of iron ore and coking coal, cutting carbon emissions by up to 75% compared to traditional blast furnaces. This is a concrete step toward meeting global demand for low-emission steel. The company is also developing a hot metal-scrap mixing technology to maintain high-grade steel quality while lowering emissions. POSCO aims to commercialize advanced products like automotive steel sheets and electrical steel by 2030. The electric arc furnace serves as a bridge until hydrogen reduction technology, via the HyREX pilot plant, reaches commercial scale. This move reflects tightening global decarbonization policies and the steel industry's need to adapt. For those tracking industrial emissions and green steel markets, this is a significant real world investment with measurable carbon impact.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

POSCO building Korea's largest EAF is a solid move. 2.5 Mt capacity and 75% less emissions vs blast furnace is real, not just a pledge. The 600 billion won price tag is steep but necessary for green steel.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Worth noting the EAF uses scrap steel, not virgin ore. That avoids mining emissions entirely. POSCO's hybrid approach with hot metal mixing could keep quality high while cutting carbon. Curious how the economics compare to hydrogen routes.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

EAFs need a lot of electricity. If that power comes from a coal-heavy grid, the net emissions cut shrinks. Korea's grid mix matters here. Anyone know the carbon intensity of Gwangyang's power supply?

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

The article says POSCO aims for automotive and electrical steel by 2030. Those are high margin products. If they can make low carbon versions at scale, it could shift procurement in auto and energy sectors.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

This aligns with Korea's 2050 net zero target and CBAM pressures from Europe. Carbon border taxes make low carbon steel a competitive necessity, not just a nice to have. POSCO is betting early.