Graphite electrodes are the "lifeline" of EAF steelmaking! As the core material for arc conduction and heating, they feature high conductivity and heat resistance, directly affecting molten steel quality and output. Mastering graphite electrodes means mastering the initiative in EAF steelmaking!

【Hebei】Blast Furnaces Below 1,000 m³ and General Steel Converters Below 100 Tons Fully Phased Out

In recent years, Hebei Province has adhered to the development direction of high-end, intelligent, and green steelmaking, focusing on promoting steel enterprises to deeply explore emission reduction potential and lower energy consumption levels. The green and low-carbon transformation of the province's steel industry has achieved remarkable results. At present, all 56 operating steel enterprises in the province have achieved full "A" environmental performance ratings, ranking first nationwide; blast furnaces below 1,000 cubic meters and general steel converters below 100 tons have been fully phased out, and the overall equipment level of steel enterprises is at the domestic leading level.

Hebei is the first province in the country to launch a full "A" environmental performance initiative for steel enterprises. On the basis of national standards, it has introduced 79 "A" rating standards in 8 aspects. To stimulate the intrinsic motivation of steel enterprises to achieve "A" ratings, Hebei Province has also introduced a series of policy measures, including differentiated electricity pricing for ultra-low emissions, preferential bank loans, and fiscal awards in place of subsidies. Additionally, loans totaling 135.4 billion yuan have been issued to 50 "A" rated enterprises through pollution rights as collateral and transformation financial products, and enterprises have been guided to plan 111 central air pollution control projects, securing funding of 1.47 billion yuan.

Currently, 56 integrated control and governance platforms have been established for newly constructed or renovated A-level environmental performance steel enterprises. More than 3,500 new electric heavy trucks have been added, making the province's stock of new energy heavy-duty trucks the highest in the country. Port-based steel enterprises have basically achieved direct belt conveyors for iron ore and coal into factories. After full "A" environmental performance implementation in the steel industry, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter emissions have been reduced by more than 30%, contributing over 12% to the province's industrial emission reductions and effectively supporting the continuous improvement of Hebei's air quality. 

Strengthening the research, development, and promotion of green and low-carbon technologies. In pollution control technology, Hebei Province actively participates in the National Key R&D Program for Comprehensive Environmental Management in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, recommending the "Hebei Steel Low-Cost Pollution Reduction and Efficiency Improvement Materials and Key Technology Research" project for inclusion in the 2024 annual program. The province has implemented provincial-level science and technology plans in the ecological environment innovation special projects, initiating R&D projects and demonstrations on collaborative resource utilization of steel solid waste, non-pure carbon dioxide saline layer storage technology in the steel industry, and resource utilization of discarded refractory materials in the steel industry, actively serving pollution control and green high-quality development in the steel industry.

In low-carbon technology, Hebei Province focuses on promoting breakthroughs and innovations in key carbon reduction technologies, encouraging the application of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology, and increasing project construction support in technology guidance and financial services. Currently, three projects—Shougang Jingtang Steel, Xingtai Delong Steel, and Hesteel Zhangxuan Technology—have clear utilization pathways and are running well. At the same time, Hebei Hesteel Group is being promoted to strengthen the promotion and application of CCUS technologies, striving to form a full-industry-chain, full-process R&D and application system, providing valuable reference for deep decarbonization of the steel industry.

Continuously optimizing environmental assessment and approval services, the provincial Department of Ecology and Environment proactively provides policy guidance and element guarantees for all types of steel projects, resolving difficult issues in advance to lay the foundation for project implementation. At the same time, joint evaluation and approval of "two high" (high energy-consuming and high-emission) projects and environmental assessments are properly managed, promoting the inclusion of "two high" projects in the list of proposed projects, creating conditions for smooth subsequent procedures. This year, a total of five steel projects have been approved across the province.

The carbon market is an important policy tool for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. This year, the national carbon market has expanded from the power generation sector to include the steel, cement, and aluminum smelting industries, bringing development opportunities for the green and low-carbon transformation of Hebei's steel industry. It will play a positive role in promoting enterprises to improve production processes and enhance carbon emission management capabilities.

Hebei Province actively participates in the construction of the national carbon market. This year, it has organized a special carbon reduction service action for key emission units in the steel industry in 2025. For 48 long-process steel enterprises, efforts have been made to improve carbon emission management capabilities by refining management mechanisms, implementing data quality control, optimizing process flows, and strengthening carbon rights awareness, guiding enterprises to establish a dynamic response mechanism for the carbon market.

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