Recycling Iron
Iron Recycling
Iron, a crucial element in our everyday lives, can be efficiently recycled using Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) powered by graphite electrodes.
This EAF process recycles steel with significantly reduced energy consumption to approximately half of conventional methods like the blast furnace process, as well as a remarkable reduction in CO2 emissions, reaching around 25%.
At Resonac Graphite Japan, we are dedicated to driving the sustainable development of society through the promotion of eco-friendly iron recycling alternatives.
Our unwavering commitment lies in providing superior products and services that reflect our passion for sustainable practices.
Accelerated shift to the electric arc furnace process
There are two primary methods of steel production: the electric arc furnace (EAF) process, which uses scrap steel as the raw material, and the blast furnace (BF) process, which relies on iron ore. Currently, the BF process dominates, accounting for approximately 75% of global steel production. However, the EAF process, which can reduce CO2 emissions to about a quarter of those produced by blast furnaces, has attracted worldwide attention as decarbonization becomes a world priority. A significant transformation is underway in the steel production industry.
When analyzing EAF adoption rate by country in 2021, the United States takes the lead with a 70% EAF adoption rate, followed by Europe at 35%. There has been a notable increase in EAF adoption in both the United States and Europe, as prominent steel companies in the UK and the Czech Republic have declared their intentions to adopt EAF technology and pursue transition plans.
In contrast, Japan and China currently have EAF adoption rate of 25% and 12%. However, Japan's commitment to achieving virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, announced in 2020, has altered that trajectory. As the steel industry accounts for approximately 14% of Japan's total CO2 emissions, major blast furnace manufacturers like Nippon Steel and JFE have unveiled plans for large-scale EAF facilities, further accelerating the transition to EAF technology within the country.