Expansion of Steel Byproduct Use in Cement Production and Signing of 'Carbon Emission Reduction MOU'
Continued Cooperation for '2050 Carbon Neutrality' in Steel and Cement Industries
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] POSCO and Ssangyong C&E (formerly Ssangyong Cement) announced that they will expand the use of steelmaking by-products and develop eco-friendly cement to reduce carbon emissions.
On the 5th, POSCO and Ssangyong C&E signed an 'MOU for Carbon Emission Reduction and ESG Management Cooperation' at Ssangyong C&E headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by Ji Jun-hyun, Executive Director of Ssangyong C&E, and Kim Dae-up, Head of POSCO Hot Rolled Steel Marketing Office, among others.
Through this MOU, the two companies will build infrastructure to expand the use of water-quenched slag, a steelmaking by-product, in the cement production process, and discuss ways to develop eco-friendly cement and broaden its demand base.
Through this, the two companies plan to reduce carbon emissions generated during cement production and establish a cooperative system to realize the 『2050 Carbon Neutrality』 of the steel and cement industries.
Generally, producing one ton of cement generates about 0.8 tons of carbon due to the thermal decomposition of limestone and the use of fossil fuels for this process. The water-quenched slag supplied by POSCO is a by-product discharged together with molten iron from the blast furnace, rapidly cooled using water, and has a composition similar to cement.
Until now, the cement industry expected cost reduction and carbon reduction effects by adding steelmaking by-products such as water-quenched slag, which reduces limestone usage. However, due to seasonal factors such as the off-season in construction, storage space and utilization methods were insufficient, and steel mills also struggled to handle by-products during the cement industry's off-season, causing difficulties in supply and demand.
Through this cooperation, Ssangyong C&E will secure regional yards to store and utilize water-quenched slag generated at steel mills during the construction off-season, and POSCO will support the expansion of water-quenched slag production and stable supply. Additionally, the two companies will develop eco-friendly cement using water-quenched slag and other steelmaking by-products.
Ji Jun-hyun, Executive Director of Ssangyong C&E, said, "We will take the lead in developing eco-friendly cement that reduces carbon emissions through continuous exchange and cooperation with POSCO, and further fulfill our responsibility and role as an eco-friendly leading company in realizing the government's 2050 carbon neutrality."
Kim Dae-up, Head of POSCO Hot Rolled Steel Marketing Office, said, "We will continue to support so that POSCO's steelmaking by-products become eco-friendly raw materials and contribute more to carbon reduction. Through this, we will faithfully fulfill the role of POSCO as a corporate citizen."
POSCO announced the 『2050 Carbon Neutrality』 plan in December last year, the first among Asian steelmakers, and Ssangyong C&E, the largest domestic cement company producing 15 million tons annually, declared '2030 Coal Phase-out' in March this year to reduce coal usage.
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
