Japan: JISF aims to achieve 30% CO2 reduction target by FY'30

The Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) announced on 4 Mar'22 that it will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the iron and steel industry by 2030. A new reduction target of 30% below the FY13 level was announced for FY30. The new goal is based on a 'total reduction target', which is assessed by the amount of fresh water used to reduce emissions. Crude steel production is assumed to be 90 million tonnes (mnt) in FY30. In addition to reductions due to production fluctuations, the target will be achieved through increased use of steel scrap and the partial introduction of innovative technologies.

JISF endorsed the '50-year carbon neutrality (CN) goal in February last year, and the steel industry is also working to realise CN. The FY30 target is a milestone towards 50 years. In formulating the new target, the 'Low Carbon Society Action Plan' was renamed the 'Carbon Neutral Action Plan'.

The government's target for FY30 is a '46% reduction compared to FY13', and the industry as a whole will achieve a 38% reduction. A 30% reduction in the steel industry is not as ambitious as a 30% reduction in the steel industry, but it is an ambitious target level from an international perspective, as it requires a significant reduction in emissions intensity and has already achieved the world's highest energy efficiency.

The '30% reduction' corresponds to a total of 57.9 mnt (energy origin). Of this, approximately 34 mnt are to be achieved through production changes, 8.5 mnt through the use of steel scrap and 8.5 mnt through the promotion of energy efficiency, 2.7 mnt through the introduction of innovative technologies, and 2.2 mnt through the recycling of waste plastic to achieve around 100,000 tonnes of reduction. In addition, reductions of approximately 8 mnt are expected from improvements in purchased electricity emission factors.

Production fluctuations are based on the assumption of 90 mnt per year of crude steel production, which is included in the Government's Basic Energy Plan. Plans for facility shutdowns by major blast furnace manufacturers were not included. Increased CO2 emissions due to external factors, such as the degree of improvement in the electricity coefficient and the expansion of production activities due to increased demand, are excluded from the target management.

For steel scrap utilisation, it is assumed that the entire current export volume (7.5 million tonnes per year) can be utilised domestically. Innovative technologies are envisaged, such as the introduction of some hydrogen utilisation technologies in blast furnaces, which are in the final stages of research and development.

Note: This insight has been published in accordance with an article exchange agreement between SteelMint and Japan Metal Daily.