Ultra-low emission (ULE) transformation for steel enterprises refers to the comprehensive upgrading and retrofitting of all production processes — including raw material yards, sintering, pelletizing, coking, ironmaking, steelmaking, rolling, captive power plants, as well as bulk material and product transportation — so that organized emissions, fugitive emissions, and emissions during transportation all meet the relevant regulatory requirements for atmospheric pollutants.
In April 2019, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued the Opinions on Promoting the Implementation of Ultra-Low Emissions in the Steel Industry. The document proposed that by the end of 2025, ultra-low emission retrofits for steel enterprises in key regions should be basically completed, and nationwide more than 80% of steelmaking capacity should strive to complete the transformation.
In December 2019, the MEE released the Notice on Strengthening the Assessment and Monitoring of Ultra-Low Emissions in Steel Enterprises. The notice required that assessment and monitoring work be carried out in accordance with the principles of targeted, scientific, and law-based pollution control. At the same time, the Technical Guidelines for Assessment and Monitoring of Ultra-Low Emissions in Steel Enterprises were issued, standardizing assessment and monitoring practices and unifying procedures and methodologies nationwide.
According to information released on the website of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA), as of December 31, 2025, a total of 268 domestic steel enterprises had completed or partially completed ultra-low emission retrofits. Among them, 225 steel enterprises had completed full-process ultra-low emission transformation covering organized emissions, fugitive emissions, and clean transportation, involving crude steel capacity of 844 million tonnes. Another 43 steel enterprises had completed partial ultra-low emission retrofits, involving crude steel capacity of 100 million tonnes.
In total, 944 million tonnes of crude steel capacity had completed or partially completed ultra-low emission retrofits. Based on China’s 2024 crude steel output of 1.123 billion tonnes as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, this represents 84.1% of total capacity, exceeding the national target of 80%.
Among the 268 steel enterprises, there are 194 long-process producers, 70 independent electric arc furnace (EAF) producers, and 4 enterprises that have exited the market, spanning 28 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. All steel enterprises in key regions such as Tianjin, Hebei, Jiangsu, and Shandong have completed the ultra-low emission transformation.
