Not only do we use scrap as the raw material in our electric arc furnace steelmaking, but we also implement renewable resources, energy conservation and carbon reduction.
We consistently focus on the rebar rolling process, striving to find more effective ways to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions while also implementing approaches to facilitate environmental protection.
Therefore, to this end Tung Ho Steel in 2010 began operation of: Taiwan’s first rebar plant that are not equipped with a reheating furnace—Tung Ho Steel’s Taoyuan Works.
We have all seen, on TV or in a movie, how a blacksmith places pieces of iron into a furnace to burn bright red, and then constantly forging for formation. In fact the reheating furnace is akin to what happens in this process. By using the reheating furnace to heat up the steel billet from room temperature to the high temperature of 1,200°C, after the billet becomes soft and relatively easy to deform , it is possible to further roll out the rebar needed for construction.
However, the operation of the reheating furnace requires burning of a large quantity of heavy oil, natural gas, or other fuels.
As soon as these are burned, carbon dioxide (CO2), SOX , NOXand particulate matter(PM2.5 or PM10)will inevitably be generated. These gases and particulate matter are a major contributor to global warming and air pollution.
All of us know that the warming of the earth is ongoing, and also understand the urgent necessity of slowing down the warming. This is the responsibility and task of every individual on the planet. In light of the relatively high energy consumption and pollution of the steel industry as compared to other industries, as a member of the steel industry we have been trying our best to improve and even introduce an innovative process to achieve a slowing of global warming.
To this end, in 2006 we began investing in major research and development efforts aimed at process reform, and eventually in 2010Tung Ho Steel’s Taoyuan Works achieved optimized plant configuration with direct rolling process and went into operation without the reheating furnace. This made the plant Taiwan’s first rebar plant that does not install a reheating heat furnace—Tung Ho Steel’s Taoyuan Works.
The greatest benefit of having no reheating furnace is that there is no need to burn heavy oil, natural gas, or other fuels for heating. In this way, compared to traditional processes, energy is greatly conserved, as are the emissions of pollutants resulting from the process of burning.
Compared to normal traditional processes with a reheating furnace, better effects from energy conservation and reduction of carbon can be achieved each year:
Currently, the vast majority of the world’s rebar plants need to reheat the billets in order to roll and form the final product.
Today, Tung Ho Steel’s Taoyuan Works features low energy consumption, and almost no pollution in the rebar production process. This is a veritable major leap for the steel industry. The innovation of direct rolling without reheating furnace has been the focus of active imitation and introduction both in Taiwan and abroad by multiple steel plants.
But our greatest accomplishment still lies in what choice you make!
Rebar is an indispensable steel material in everyday construction. We hope that when you choose building materials and construction materials or purchase a house, ask to use Tung Ho Steel rebar. These actions will be our recognition and reward. Your choice will make us more confident in bearing our responsibility and moving forward.
