Japan’s Osaka Steel has launched sales of its reduced-carbon emission steel, known as RECOS, which is produced via the electric arc furnace (EAF) route using scrap and renewable energy, Kallanish learns from the company.
The steel is applicable across a wide range of long steel products, including sections, channels, bars, flats, rails and elevator guide rails. The company says the product carries a premium of around JPY 6,000/tonne ($38/t) compared with conventional steel, while maintaining similar quality and delivery conditions.
It is manufactured by using non-fossil fuel electricity, including solar power and certified green energy, during the EAF steelmaking process. This enables a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions associated with power consumption.
According to the Japanese steelmaker, power-related emissions are effectively reduced to zero, lowering total carbon intensity to around 420 kg CO2/t, compared with approximately 734 kg CO2/t for conventional EAF steel.
The product’s carbon footprint (CFP) has been calculated in line with guidelines set by the Japan Iron & Steel Federation and the Japan Electric Furnace Steelmakers Association. The methodology and results have also received third-party verification from Japan Inspection QA, with certified CFP documentation provided to customers for Scope 3 emissions accounting, the steelmaker adds.
Osaka Steel has already secured its first application, supplying RECOS crane rails for a new warehouse project undertaken by Onoken in Oita.
AloJapan.com