POSCO and Hyundai Steel Recycle Discarded Oyster Shells as Steelmaking Raw Materials

POSCO-Hyundai Steel Collaborate with Yeosu Bio on Shell Recycling Research... Environmental Assessment Approval Obtained on 15th

Utilizing Shells as Limestone Substitute... Addressing Environmental Issues and Ensuring Economic Feasibility through Waste Resource Circulation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] POSCO announced on the 16th that the domestic steel industry has transformed ‘paegak’ waste?shells of oysters and clams?into a by-material for steelmaking processes.

POSCO and Hyundai Steel, noting that the components of paegak are similar to those of limestone used in the ‘sintering process,’ have been jointly researching ways to replace limestone with paegak in collaboration with Yeosu Bio, a paegak processing specialist company in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do. On the 15th, Yeosu Bio obtained approval for the environmental safety assessment of paegak recycling from the National Institute of Environmental Research, enabling the use of paegak as a steelmaking by-material.

The sintering process involves processing powdered iron ore into sinter form suitable for blast furnace input, where limestone plays a role in forming the shape and adjusting the components of the sinter.

Annually, about 300,000 to 350,000 tons of paegak are generated nationwide, but due to limited utilization, they have often been left unattended in fishing villages. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, 920,000 tons of paegak waste have been left unattended for years in fishing villages in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam, causing environmental pollution through wastewater, dust, and odors.

However, by recycling paegak in steelmaking processes, the steel industry can not only solve local environmental issues but also achieve resource savings and economic benefits by substituting limestone, resulting in a triple-win effect.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has also taken active support measures. In July, the ministry enacted the ‘Act on Promotion of Recycling of Fishery By-products’ to process fishery by-products in an eco-friendly manner and promote recycling, and plans to establish standards to facilitate the recycling of paegak waste. Furthermore, through the establishment of a five-year basic plan focusing on industrial economic improvement and coastal environmental protection, systematic support for systems, R&D, and infrastructure will be provided.

Meanwhile, POSCO Chemical, which supplies quicklime as a by-material to remove impurities in the ‘steelmaking process,’ is also reviewing ways to utilize paegak. The steelmaking process removes impurities from molten iron to produce steel, and limestone has been used as the raw material for quicklime, which removes impurities such as sulfur and phosphorus. POSCO Chemical is in the final stages of developing technology to manufacture quicklime using paegak instead of limestone. Once applied, the POSCO Group expects to practice ESG management throughout the entire steelmaking process, from ironmaking to steelmaking.

Utilizing approximately 920,000 tons of discarded paegak in steelmaking processes is expected to achieve a CO2 reduction effect of about 410,000 tons, equivalent to planting approximately 300 million pine trees.

POSCO and Hyundai Steel plan to actively promote ESG management through the virtuous cycle of waste resources by closely collaborating not only with paegak suppliers but also with local governments in paegak-producing regions. They also agree on the need for joint efforts in the steel industry to reduce greenhouse gases and intend to lead low-carbon green growth based on various forms of future collaboration.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.