Long-term transformation in China’s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deployment

Abstract Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has substantial potential for deep decarbonization of the steel sector. However, long-term transformations within this sector lead to significant changes in steel units, posing challenges for CCS deployment. Here, we integrate sector-level transformation pat...

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Main Authors: Yihan Wang, Zongguo Wen, Mao Xu, Christian Doh Dinga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59205-3
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author Yihan Wang
Zongguo Wen
Mao Xu
Christian Doh Dinga
author_facet Yihan Wang
Zongguo Wen
Mao Xu
Christian Doh Dinga
author_sort Yihan Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has substantial potential for deep decarbonization of the steel sector. However, long-term transformations within this sector lead to significant changes in steel units, posing challenges for CCS deployment. Here, we integrate sector-level transformation pathways by 2060 to simulate the distribution of China’s steel units and generate optimal CCS deployment schemes using a source-sink matching model. Results indicate that CCS accounts for 31.4-40.7% of carbon mitigation effects in China’s steel sector by 2060. Following the sector-level pathways, over 650 steel units will either be eliminated or retrofitted. The optimal CCS deployment schemes can achieve carbon mitigation effects of 472.4-609.6 Mt at levelized costs of 187.4-193.5 Chinese Yuan t−1 CO2, demonstrating cost-effectiveness under future carbon price levels. Nevertheless, the proposed schemes will lead to energy and water consumption of 951.0-1427.3 PJ and 1.60-1.69 million m3, respectively, posing a risk of resource scarcity. These insights inform the development of CCS implementation strategies in China’s steel sector and beyond, promoting deep decarbonization throughout society.
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spelling doaj-art-79ed244ef6884cb3962719c115bb4d0a2025-08-20T03:52:55ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111310.1038/s41467-025-59205-3Long-term transformation in China’s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deploymentYihan Wang0Zongguo Wen1Mao Xu2Christian Doh Dinga3Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong KongResearch Center for Industry of Circular Economy, School of Environment, Tsinghua UniversityResearch Center for Industry of Circular Economy, School of Environment, Tsinghua UniversityFaculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Delft University of TechnologyAbstract Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has substantial potential for deep decarbonization of the steel sector. However, long-term transformations within this sector lead to significant changes in steel units, posing challenges for CCS deployment. Here, we integrate sector-level transformation pathways by 2060 to simulate the distribution of China’s steel units and generate optimal CCS deployment schemes using a source-sink matching model. Results indicate that CCS accounts for 31.4-40.7% of carbon mitigation effects in China’s steel sector by 2060. Following the sector-level pathways, over 650 steel units will either be eliminated or retrofitted. The optimal CCS deployment schemes can achieve carbon mitigation effects of 472.4-609.6 Mt at levelized costs of 187.4-193.5 Chinese Yuan t−1 CO2, demonstrating cost-effectiveness under future carbon price levels. Nevertheless, the proposed schemes will lead to energy and water consumption of 951.0-1427.3 PJ and 1.60-1.69 million m3, respectively, posing a risk of resource scarcity. These insights inform the development of CCS implementation strategies in China’s steel sector and beyond, promoting deep decarbonization throughout society.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59205-3
spellingShingle Yihan Wang
Zongguo Wen
Mao Xu
Christian Doh Dinga
Long-term transformation in China’s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deployment
Nature Communications
title Long-term transformation in China’s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deployment
title_full Long-term transformation in China’s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deployment
title_fullStr Long-term transformation in China’s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deployment
title_full_unstemmed Long-term transformation in China’s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deployment
title_short Long-term transformation in China’s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deployment
title_sort long term transformation in china s steel sector for carbon capture and storage technology deployment
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59205-3
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AT christiandohdinga longtermtransformationinchinassteelsectorforcarboncaptureandstoragetechnologydeployment