Mining giant Rio Tinto and Chinese steel producer Shougang Group have commissioned an industrial-scale carbon capture trial facility, marking a major milestone in efforts to decarbonise traditional steelmaking.
Located at Shougang’s Jingtang base in China, the facility is designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from blast furnace gas produced during ironmaking. It can process up to 3,000 cubic metres of blast furnace gas per hour and is capable of capturing up to 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
The commissioning stems from a memorandum of understanding signed by both companies in 2022 to research and develop low-carbon steelmaking technologies. The newly built plant follows a smaller pilot facility commissioned in 2024 as part of a phased technology program.
By using waste heat from existing operations, the facility aims to lower carbon capture costs. Reducing these expenditures could support broader adoption across global steel mills, significantly curbing emissions from blast furnaces currently in operation.
“This milestone is an important step in our 30-year relationship with Shougang and our work together to find practical ways to reduce emissions from steelmaking,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore Sales and Marketing Vice President Ramona Sim.
She added that carbon capture and utilisation could play a key role as the sector transitions to a lower-carbon future.
Shougang Group Vice President Zhu Guosen noted that the facility provides valuable demonstration value for reducing emissions in conventional steelmaking and supports China’s dual-carbon objectives.
“This achievement represents an important milestone for blast furnace decarbonisation and provides valuable demonstration value for reducing emissions in the conventional steelmaking route.”
The facility has been integrated into Shougang’s production system for long-term trial and research purposes. Beyond capture, Rio Tinto and Shougang are exploring ways to utilise the trapped CO₂, including converting it into syngas to recycle back into the steelmaking process, thereby reducing the need for raw carbon inputs.
The initiative deepens a relationship that began in 1996 with the first shipment of Pilbara iron ore to Shougang, evolving from a commercial partnership into a vital technical collaboration focused on sustainable industrial innovation.
