PeroCycle, a pioneer in closed-loop carbon recycling, has announced it has been awarded a comprehensive feasibility assessment by Jindal Steel (Oman).
This assessment will evaluate the integration of PeroCycle’s patented carbon recycling technology into Jindal’s world-class steel manufacturing operations in the Port of Duqm. It marks a critical step toward transforming industrial gas biproducts (off-gas) into a valuable resource, and may set a new global benchmark for low emission steel production in the Middle East.
PeroCycle’s patented technology was invented at the University of Birmingham and addresses the urgent need to decarbonise foundation industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals.
By recycling gas byproducts (off gas) back into the production process as a feedstock, the technology could reduce carbon emissions in sectors like steelmaking by up to 90%, and drastically lower reliance on fossil-based reducing agents like natural gas, coal and coke. The technology can be integrated into new plants or retrofitted into existing facilities, so avoiding stranded assets and the high capital expenditure of new-build ‘green’ plants.
Engineering a circular future
The feasibility study is designed to provide a robust roadmap for full-scale implementation. Work will focus on the key pillars of technical integration of PeroCycle’s technology with existing plant, design, assessment of the economic and environmental impact, and deployment strategy.
The technical integration workstream will validate the synergy between the PeroCycle system and gas recovery by Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption (VPSA) and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) which are used to separate and produce high purity gases from off-gas. The design element will develop detailed Process Flow Diagrams, which are big picture blueprints that show the process from start to finish, and mass/energy balances, for use in system design. On-site evaluations will determine the value of the investment and assess profitability, and the deployment strategy will plan construction phasing to ensure seamless integration with existing production cycles.
Grant Budge, CEO of PeroCycle said: "We are honoured to be working alongside Jindal Steel (Oman), a company that is clearly at the forefront of the global decarbonisation transition. The feasibility assessment is more than just a study; it could be a blueprint for the future of the industry. By combining PeroCycle’s ability to recycle CO2 with Jindal’s operational excellence, we look to prove that decarbonisation and industrial growth can go hand-in-hand."
Harssha Shetty, CEO at Jindal Steel (Oman), commented: "Sustainability is a core pillar of our long-term strategy at Jindal Steel. Exploring innovative technologies like PeroCycle’s reflects our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint while maintaining our competitive edge in the global steel market. We look forward to seeing the technical and economic results of this study as we continue to lead the way in sustainable steelmaking."
The strategic engagement has benefits for both parties. It provides Jindal Steel with a data-driven strategy to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from onsite activities (Scope 1 emissions) and indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling (Scope 2 emissions), and could lower long-term operating expenses through reduced reliance on external carbon sources.
For PeroCycle, it provides a high-profile platform to demonstrate technology readiness within a complex, large-scale industrial environment, and establishes a strong foothold in the Middle East, which is rapidly becoming a global hub for industrial decarbonisation. It will also serve as a vital precursor to engineering design, and engineering, production and construction stages for a demonstrator scale unit.