British Steel has launched a carbon capture trial at its Scunthorpe plant, aiming to lower its carbon footprint through new technology.
In partnership with the University of Sheffield, the trial uses a mobile carbon capture pilot plant installed at British Steel’s Central Power Station. This pilot, developed by the university, is designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the station’s boiler flue gases, representing a step forward in industrial decarbonisation.
As part of its broader sustainability strategy, British Steel is transitioning to electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, a move expected to reduce CO2 emissions by over 75%. However, the company is exploring further methods to cut emissions across its operations.
Dr. Andy Trowsdale, Head of Research and Development at British Steel, explained, “This project is all about testing the capabilities of the technology. If it works for us, and others, it could be scaled up and play an important role in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage.”
The system, known as FluRefin, was developed by Professor Peter Styring and Dr. George Dowson at the University of Sheffield, with support from AESSEAL, a Rotherham-based manufacturer. Unlike conventional carbon capture systems, FluRefin avoids the use of environmentally hazardous chemicals and is both smaller and more economical.
Backed by SUSTAIN, a research hub focused on the future of steel manufacturing, the university team designed this system to offer a more efficient and eco-friendly carbon capture solution.
The CO2 collected through the trial will be bottled and sent to the University of Sheffield, where it will be converted into synthetic fuels, showcasing a closed-loop approach to carbon reuse.
Professor Styring commented, “We are excited to get our next generation carbon dioxide capture and refining technology on site. We look forward to being able to demonstrate a unique approach to further reducing British Steel’s CO2 emissions.”
Beyond the benefits for British Steel, the FluRefin technology is part of a broader University of Sheffield project to repurpose waste gases from industries like steel and glassmaking. By converting CO2 into consumer products, this initiative could offer a scalable model for emissions reduction across sectors.
Steel’s CO2 emissions
The steel industry is one of the largest carbon emitters globally, generating approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to around 7-9% of global emissions, according to the World Steel Association.
In Europe alone, the sector accounts for roughly 4% of total EU emissions. To address this, various large-scale carbon capture projects are underway. For instance, Norway’s Northern Lights project, part of the larger Longship initiative, aims to capture and store CO2 from major industrial sources, including steel, in geological formations under the North Sea.
In the Netherlands, Tata Steel is partnering with Carbon Clean to capture CO2 from its IJmuiden plant, targeting a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s HYBRIT project, a collaboration between SSAB, LKAB, and Vattenfall, seeks to replace traditional blast furnaces with hydrogen-based production, potentially eliminating CO2 emissions from steelmaking entirely, according to project reports.
While carbon capture holds promise, challenges remain. High costs and energy demands can limit widespread adoption, particularly for smaller plants. Additionally, infrastructure for CO2 transport and storage is still underdeveloped in many regions, and some critics argue that focusing on capture could delay more sustainable innovations, like green hydrogen production.
