Rio Tinto and Shougang Group are trialling carbon capture technology in China

Large companies have moved on from theoretical and research-based initiatives to the stage of testing technologies

Mining giant Rio Tinto has begun testing a pilot-scale carbon capture facility at a plant operated by the Chinese steelmaker Shougang Group. This was reported by Reuters.

The facility is located at Shougang’s Jingtang site in China. The complex is designed to capture CO₂ contained in blast furnace gas, which is produced during pig iron production. The plant is capable of processing up to 3,000 cubic metres of blast furnace gas per hour and capturing up to 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

The launch of this system forms part of a memorandum of understanding signed by Rio Tinto and Shougang in 2022. The document provides for the joint development of technologies designed to reduce carbon emissions at all stages of the production chain in the steel industry.

Large companies have moved on from theoretical and research-based initiatives to the stage of testing technologies.

As reported by GMK Center, BHP Group has led a consortium of steelmakers and other industrial giants in exploring carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) opportunities across Asia.  The industry consortium comprises leading steel producers such as ArcelorMittal, Nippon Steel India, JSW Steel and Hyundai Steel, along with other players in the value chain, as well as BHP, Chevron and Mitsui & Co. They will jointly carry out a preliminary feasibility study to identify potential large-scale carbon capture and storage projects.