Synergetic Integration of Best Available Technologies and Ultra-Low Emission Technologies in the Steel Industry with Compliance of International Convention

The iron and steel industry serves as the strategic material foundation of China's industrial sector. Its enormous production capacity has led to significant issues of high-intensity energy consumption and pollutant emissions, making it the largest source of atmospheric pollutant emissions within China's industrial landscape. As environmental standards continue to tighten, the iron and steel industry has gradually shifted from traditional single-factor pollution prevention and control to multi-pollutant ultra-low emissions and synergistic governance. Under the dual objectives of achieving ultra-low emissions and fulfilling international commitments, China's iron and steel industry is confronted with a compound challenge of comprehensively managing conventional pollutants, emerging pollutants, and carbon emissions, as well as a critical challenge of enhancing the industry's green competitiveness. This paper systematically reviews the policy standards, technical frameworks, and application practices in the field of multi-pollutant synergistic control within the domestic and international iron and steel industries. It is found that the limit values set in China's current emission standards for indicators such as particulate matter, SO2, and NOx have reached internationally leading levels. However, there is still a gap between China's dioxin emission limits and those stipulated in international conventions, as well as in developed countries like the European Union and Japan. Sintering and electric arc furnace steelmaking, as key processes for dioxin emission control, should prioritize the promotion of diverse and integrated governance measures from the perspectives of raw material screening, process optimization, and multi-stage end-of-pipe treatment, based on the existing best available techniques (BAT) framework. These measures include raw material sorting, process optimization, exhaust gas recycling, efficient dust removal and adsorption, and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, which can achieve synergistic control of dioxins and conventional pollutants. In the future, it is essential to further refine the relevant technical policy standards for the iron and steel industry, strengthen research on emerging pollutants, develop online monitoring technologies, and leverage intelligent means to enhance the real-time and precise management level of synergistic control. Meanwhile, it is crucial to promote the research, development, and application of advanced synergistic emission reduction technologies for multiple pollutants, explore coupled pathways for reducing both pollution and carbon emissions, and facilitate the development of a new green and high-quality productive force in the iron and steel industry.