New electric furnace that converts low-grade scrap into ferrous raw materials (1990s, NKK)

New electric furnace that converts low-grade scrap into ferrous raw materials (1990s, NKK)
In the 1990s, the Japanese steel industry was facing an economic downturn and stricter environmental regulations, and resource efficiency and recycling were becoming increasingly important. NKK addressed this issue by developing a new type of electric furnace technology that combines scrap preheating, oxygen-enriched combustion, and refining control. This technology enables low-grade scrap to be efficiently melted and recycled as ferrous raw materials while minimizing the effects of impurities. The reuse of miscellaneous scrap, such as construction demolition scrap and home appliance scrap, has also advanced, contributing to improved steel recycling rates and energy conservation. This technology is a symbol of recycling-oriented steelmaking, whereby scrap that was once a waste material is turned back into a raw material for high-value-added materials, and marks a turning point from mass production to resource recycling.