FP-SteelEcosol (Introduction)

Japan has promoted the optimization of manufacturing process, the recovery of waste heat and by-product gas, and the recycle of waste plastic since oil crises in 1970's. As a result, according to the study of the Research Institute of the Innovative Technology Earth (RITE), the iron and steel industry in Japan is the most energy-efficient in the world. Therefore it is recommended that the emerging countries, which have potential for the introduction of energy-saving technologies, introduce Japan’s energy-saving measures and technology to further reduce CO2 emissions released from their iron and steel industries.

The iron and steel industry in Japan has pushed ahead with the decarbonization in its own country and has also contributed to the reduction of CO2 in the world through bilateral cooperation with China and India in which steel industries grow rapidly and multinational cooperation with ASEAN countries as well. In 2013, ISO14404, the international standard for calculation method of carbon dioxide emission intensity from iron and steel production, of which development Japan took the lead, was issued. Currently the transfer of energy-saving technology of Japan’s iron and steel industry has been promoted to other countries and regions by proposing the appropriate energy-saving technology to the country concerned through the steel plant diagnosis based on ISO14404.

In May 2014, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) and ASEAN Iron Steel Counsil (AISC) have signed the memorandum aiming to exchange knowledge and experiences in the field of environment, standardization and trade. As an initiative in the environment field, the public-private platform, The ASEAN-JAPAN Steel Initiative (AJSI) was launched in corporation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

CEFIA has pushed forward the energy-efficiency and decarbonization of Southeast Asian countries through the flagship project, “SteelEcosol”. Japan Iron and Steel Federation leads this comprehensive project with three pillars, such as 1) Steel Plant Diagnosis, 2)Technology Customized List(TCL), and 3)the Public-Private Dialogue. At the 3rd CEFIA Government-Private Forum held in February 2022, “SteelEcosol” was welcomed as a new flagship project.

1) Steel Plant Diagnosis

Japanese experts visit the site for a week in order to　①check the operations of energy consuming facilities based on ISO14404 and review the data related to energy consumption and ②give feedback on operational improvements and suitable energy saving equipment from the perspective of TCL. Track record of diagnosis by AJSI as of November 2025 are shown in the following Table.

　 Track record　of the diagnosis

Name of the countries	Number of the cases of plant diagnosis
Thailand	6
Malaysia	3
Singapore	１
Vietnam	４
Philippines	１
Indonesia	３

2）Technology Customized List(TCL)

TCL is a list of Japan's excellent energy-saving, environmental conservation, and recycling technologies that are suitable for　each country and region, created　by the Japanese steel technology experts incorporating feedback from experts in India and ASEAN. The advantages of using　TCL are as follows.

The benefit of technology implementation is clearly demonstrated

Indicate CO2 reduction effect and payback time for the collaborative country or region, based on country-based energy prices, plant installation cost and CO2 emission factor.

Technologies listed on TCL are reliable

Effects of the technologies are proven through Japanese steelmakers’ operating experiences.

Easy to reach out to further information when necessary

Includes contact detail of supplier companies which have the best available technologies. TCL has been updated 4 times（ver.5） since 2014 based on the feedback at workshops and steel plant diagnosis.

3) The Public Private Dialogue

On 11 November 2024, AJSI seminar was held as the activity of SteelEcosol in order to share with the ASEAN the latest policy and technology trends in Japanese steel industry, as well as the outline and progress of activity of “SteelEcosol”. Various forms of workshop/events for steel experts in both public and private sectors have been held since 2014.

The mission of SteelEcosol is to promote the diffusion of Best Available Technologies, BAT, in ASEAN steel industry. The Steel sector is responsible for about 8% of global final energy demand and 7% of global direct energy-related CO2 emissions. The figure below shows the crude steel production in ASEAN steel industry is recently increasing in time course, so reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions is one of the big challenges for the ASEAN steel industry.

Innovative technologies such as hydrogen steelmaking are being developed to achieve carbon neutrality,　but will not be widely available immediately. Until such innovative technologies become available, improving energy efficiency through Best Available Technologies will play an important role in the ASEAN steel industry.

SteelEcosol aims to promote energy conservation in the ASEAN steel industry by BAT adoption and/or operational improvements.

Source: 2024 SEAISI Statistical Yearbook

This flagship project is led by the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF). The JISF carries out extensive activities that include compiling statistics and conducting research and studies on steel production, demand and distribution; promoting the development and diffusion of new technologies for steel production and products; addressing environmental issues; improving and streamlining work and management conditions; enhancing standardization and promoting fair steel trade.

HP (日本語): JISF　一般社団法人日本鉄鋼連盟

HP (English): The Japan Iron and Steel Federation

Purpose of "SteelEcosol"

Activities of "SteelEcosol"

Technical Overview

Introduction of Lead Organization

Activities related to CEFIA

References

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