Strategies and achievements for moving towards minimum wastes and emissions in Asian steel industry

Strategies and achievements in the Asian steel industry in constructing an industrial ecological chain are reviewed, largely for the cases of Japan, Korea and China. Emphasis is placed on the development of a resource recycling system for the minimisation of various wastes and emissions of greenhouse gases, toxic gases and polluting particulates. The minimisation strategy includes: • rationalisation of ironmaking and steelmaking processes • implementation of available relevant measures/technologies • life cycle assessment in designing steel from semis to assembled products • reduction, reuse and recycling of materials and energies • utilisation of competent core technologies to process domestic and industrial wastes. In view of the global nature of the above waste and emission issues, interindustrial linkage and international cooperation across the borders among Asian countries have become more important. Interindustrial linkage definitely serves to cut back wastes and emissions. Examples of such linkage and factors influencing the sustainability of the linkage are described, with expectation of further development of the linkage. The importance of international cooperation cannot be overstressed under the circumstances where steel production in 2004 exceeded 260 Mt in China and 1 Gt worldwide and is still increasing. Practical measures are discussed to enhance the linkage and cooperation for effectively promoting reduction, reuse and recycling, including implications for the nonferrous industry.