Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel has announced the start of construction to convert blast furnace production to an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its Kyushu plant in the Yawata region, marking a major step in its decarbonization strategy.
The project aims to create what the company calls the world's first integrated system for the mass production of high-quality steel using large-scale EAF.
The initiative is part of Nippon Steel's Carbon Neutral Vision 2050 program, which focuses on three main technology areas: high-quality steel production using large EAFs, hydrogen reduction of iron and hydrogen injection in blast furnaces. The company plans to implement these technologies at several production sites.
Large-scale EAF in Yawata
Nippon Steel will install a large-scale EAF at the Kyushu plant (Yawata region) with an annual raw steel production capacity of about 2 million tons. The project also includes recycling and continuous casting facilities.
Construction has already begun, with the start of operations scheduled for the second half of fiscal year 2029. The total investment is 630.2 billion yen (US$3.96 billion).
Multi-site expansion
At Setouchi Works (Hirohata District), the company plans to install an EAF with a production capacity of about 500,000 tons per year, supported by recycling equipment. The investment is estimated at 140 billion yen (879.82 million US dollars), with operations expected to begin in the second half of fiscal year 2029.
The Yamaguchi plant (Shunan District) will install a new EAF with a capacity of approximately 400,000 tons per year, an investment of 98.5 billion yen (619.02 million US dollars). This facility is scheduled to be operational in the second half of fiscal year 2028.
