The HIsmelt smelting reduction technology and the hydrogen-based shaft furnace direct reduction technology differ significantly in key dimensions including metallurgical principles, product characteristics, process integration, and carbon emissions.Research finds that the two technological pathways hold distinctly different roles in decarbonization strategies.The future low-carbon transition of the steel industry will follow a dual-path trajectory: HIsmelt and other smelting reduction technologies will serve as near-to-mid-term alternatives to blast furnaces, achieving deep emissions reductions when integrated with CCUS; meanwhile, large-scale deployment of hydrogen-based shaft furnace technology hinges entirely on the maturity and cost reduction pace of green hydrogen economics.Selection between these two technologies must comprehensively consider multiple factors, including resource endowments, energy mix, carbon constraints, and industrial chain synergy.For the full report, please contact U3GLOBAL.

On June 19, 2025, the Steel Industry Chain Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Platform ( https://www.cisa-epd.com/ ), operated by the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EPD Networks, a U.S.-based third-party platform providing transparent environmental performance data for businesses and downstream users in North America and the EU. The MOU establishes mutual recognition and cooperation between the two platforms. As of June 2025, the CISA EPD Platform has published 230 EPDs and registered over 6,500 organizations, making it one of the world’s most timely and comprehensive steel-focused EPD platforms. CISA Deputy Party Secretary and Vice Chairman Secretary-General Jiang Wei and EPD Networks Co-Founder and Director of Certification Noh-hyun Lim signed on behalf of their respective platforms. Also attending were Ouyeel Cloud Commerce Chairman Lü Jun, CISA Deputy Secretary-General Feng Chao, EPD Networks Senior Manager Hanbi Kim, and Jin Yinzhe, General Manager of ISS Certifications Shanghai.

Investment of RMB 2.15 billion, annual production capacity of 1 million tonnes of sponge iron, China’s first and the world’s largest 1-million-tonne-scale all-hydrogen shaft furnace, employing “hydrogen-for-carbon” reduction technology. Integrated with electric arc furnace and continuous casting, investment of approximately RMB 4.5 billion, construction of a 220-tonne high-efficiency green electric arc furnace, refining facilities, and a 2150mm single-strand slab caster, synergizing with the hydrogen-based shaft furnace to form a complete near-zero-carbon production line. On December 23, 2025, slab was produced.