Metallurgical machinery reshapes the backbone of industry

In the summer of 2025, the metallurgical machinery industry is undergoing unprecedented transformation. From the stable operation of Hesteel Group's world-first hydrogen metallurgy project, to Shougang's smart factory being designated as a Beijing Advanced Smart Factory, to the significant growth in export figures, this traditional industrial sector is striding towards the future with a fresh attitude.

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Technological Breakthrough: Hydrogen Metallurgy Ushers in a Green Revolution

In Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, Hesteel Group's Zhangxuan Technology hydrogen metallurgy demonstration project is quietly changing the rules of the game in steel production. Here, coke oven gas undergoes a zero-reforming process, converting it into reducing gas with a hydrogen-to-carbon ratio exceeding 8:1, nearly achieving a fully hydrogenated state. Compared to traditional blast furnace processes, this project reduces CO2 emissions by 800,000 tons annually, a 70% reduction. Metallurgical machinery plays a key role in this process, requiring customized design for every step, from gas processing equipment to specialized reaction vessels. MCC Jingcheng, as the project's overall design provider, not only completed the EPC contract for the world's first hydrogen metallurgy green automotive plate continuous casting production line but also, through the successful commissioning of a hydrogen refueling station, achieved the perfect integration of green hydrogen and hydrogen metallurgy.

Intelligent Transformation: 5G + AI Reshapes Production Processes

In Xiangtan, Hunan, Xiangtan Iron and Steel's smart factory project is leading the intelligent transformation of the metallurgical machinery industry. A fully-covered 5G super private network provides ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low latency information channels. The hybrid cloud-based cloud-edge capability center creates a next-generation industrial interconnection system encompassing "end-network-edge-cloud." Here, large AI models are integrated into key processes such as production, monitoring, and maintenance, fostering over 20 innovative application scenarios, including intelligent belt monitoring and intelligent vehicle scheduling. Metallurgical machinery is no longer just a cold machine; it has become the "smart cell" of the smart factory.

Environmental Protection Policies: Forcing the Industry to Upgrade to Greener Environment

The joint recommendation of major environmental protection technologies and equipment encouraged for development by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment by 2025 has charted the course for green upgrades in the metallurgical machinery industry. From air pollution prevention and control to water pollution treatment, from solid waste disposal to noise control, the promotion and application of every environmental protection technology and equipment relies on the support and cooperation of the metallurgical machinery industry. Driven by policy, metallurgical machinery companies are stepping up their research and development of environmental protection technologies, striving to find the optimal balance between emission reduction and efficiency.

Export Growth: Chinese Metallurgical Machinery Goes Global

In the first half of 2025, the cumulative export value of China's metal products, machinery, and equipment repair industries increased by 38.2%. This figure reflects the strong competitiveness of Chinese metallurgical machinery products in the international market. From Southeast Asia to the Middle East, from Africa to Europe, Chinese metallurgical machinery companies are rapidly adapting to market demands in different regions through strategies such as modular design and localized services. At a steel project site in Indonesia, modular smelting equipment from a Chinese company is helping local customers achieve rapid implementation and efficient production.

The metallurgical machinery industry is undergoing a profound transformation. From the green revolution of hydrogen metallurgy to the intelligent upgrade of smart factories, from the pressure of environmental protection policies to the expansion of export markets, every step reflects the hard work and wisdom of industry professionals. In the years to come, metallurgical machinery will continue to serve as the cornerstone of industrial civilization, injecting green momentum into global sustainable development. The machines that silently operate in steel mills are not only shapers of metal but also dream builders of human civilization.