[ Zaporizhcoke July Blast Furnace Coke Output Falls 15.3% Amid Port Blockades ]

JFE Steel successfully produced approximately one metric ton of reduced iron using 100% green hydrogen at a 15 kg/hour pilot plant in its East Japan Works. The trial, backed by Japan's NEDO Green Innovation Fund, marks a critical technical milestone for the country's decarbonization efforts by proving that iron ore can be stably reduced without fossil fuels in preparation for commercial direct hydrogen reduction implementation.

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that US domestic raw steel production for the week ending August 1 increased slightly by 0.6% to 1.870 million net tons. The capacity utilization rate hit 81.0%, bringing the year-to-date output to 55.510 million net tons, which represents a 5.8% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

The Italian government is preparing to launch a new tender in early September for the sale of the Acciaierie d'Italia steelworks (formerly Ilva) in Taranto, following evaluations of ongoing bids from potential investors. Industrial groups, including India's Jindal Steel, have submitted proposals targeting the complete acquisition of the complex's hot and cold production assets. The upcoming government summit at the Palazzo Chigi will decide the facility's future, weighing trade union demands against the necessary capital required to fully decarbonize and restart the idled blast furnaces.