Decarbonizing the iron and steelmaking industry is critical for China to pursue the net-zero emissions target and advance sustainable industrialization (SDG 9). This paper addresses the urgent need for decarbonization strategies in this sector, aiming to align with China’s carbon neutrality goals by 2060. By reviewing the current technological advancements and potential pathways for deep decarbonization, including process optimization, hydrogen-based direct reduction, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), these decarbonization technologies are categorized into six strategic approaches: systemic energy efficiency improvement, resource recycling, process optimization and innovation, breakthrough smelting, product iterative upgrading, and CCUS. These strategies also align with SDG 13 (climate action) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) through the promotion of clean energy technologies. These strategies are evaluated for their emission reduction potential and technological maturity. The results indicate that, while efficiency improvements and resource recycling are currently the most mature and widely implemented strategy, significant breakthroughs in hydrogen metallurgy and CCUS are essential for achieving long-term carbon neutrality. Based on an analysis, a comprehensive roadmap is proposed, detailing the near-term to long-term actions required for the industry’s transition. The near-term focus (up to 2030) should be on enhancing energy efficiency and process optimization, whereas the mid-term (2030–2050) focus should emphasize the adoption of hydrogen-based technologies and CCUS. By the 2050–2060 period, the industry should achieve widespread commercialization of breakthrough smelting technologies and CCUS, ensuring the achievement of carbon neutrality. This study intends to provide a systematic framework and strategic recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders to guide the decarbonization of China’s iron and steelmaking sector, addressing both technological and economic challenges to achieve sustainable and low-carbon development.

The emission of chlorinated pollutants is one of the main problems when recovering copper (Cu) via pyrolysis from waste enameled wires. This is mainly attributed to other wastes which possess high poly(vinyl chloride) content, such as electrical wires and cables, which are often recycled together with enameled copper wires. In this research, to control the chlorinated pollutants, copper(II) oxide (CuO) was chosen and demonstrated to be an efficient dechlorinating agent, and CuO did not introduce any impurities that influence the quality of the recovered Cu. The pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of polyester enameled wires, PVC, and CuO were investigated, and special attention was paid to chlorinated compounds in released pyrolytic products. In particular, the co-pyrolysis of this ternary mixture was studied for the first time, and some new pyrolysis behaviors were discovered. For example, the results of Py-GC/MS analyses showed that the addition of CuO removed about 75% of the chloro-organic products, the main types of which were chloroaromatic compounds rather than the more toxic chloroesters. Moreover, pyrolysis gases were collected and characterized via ion chromatography, and the results showed that the chlorine content in the pyrolysis gases decreased by about 71%. TG analysis indicated that CuO only minimally affected the pyrolysis of polyester paint. However, through the chlorine fixation effect, CuO influenced the dechlorination and dehydrochlorination of PVC, as well as secondary reactions between HCl and pyrolysis products of polyester paint, therefore changing the products and behaviors of co-pyrolysis. Mechanism of reducing chlorine-containing pollutants and reaction mechanism of forming typical pyrolysis products closely correlated to the effects of CuO were also proposed, providing theoretical guidance for the recycling of waste enameled wires.

To protect natural resources and avoid environmental pollution, an effective method is proposed to recover tin (Sn) from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). In order to realize the efficient recovery of Sn, it is necessary to study the effects of experimental parameters on Sn leaching and understand the leaching kinetics of leaching processes. The statistical and mathematical technique (response surface methodology (RSM)) was used to study the effects of interactions of experimental parameters on the leaching rate and optimize experimental parameters. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of the leaching kinetics of Sn in hydrochloric acid solution was obtained. The results show that the maximum Sn leaching rate was 97.6% which was obtained under the following optimal condition: 74.1 °C, 4.94 mol/L HCl, 495.5 rpm, and a solid–liquid ratio of 0.08 g/mL. The leaching mechanism of Sn was controlled by mixed control reaction with an activation energy of 20.3 kJ/mol. A macroscopic kinetic equation was also established, which summarizes the relationships between the experimental parameters and the leaching rates and can predict leaching results. The Sn in pregnant leach solution was recovered as stannic oxide (SnO₂) by precipitation-high temperature calcining technique. In this paper, a complete flowsheet for Sn recovery from WPCBs was developed.