Hyundai Steel has commenced construction of a direct reduced iron pilot plant at its Dangjin facility in South Korea, marking a strategic pivot toward hydrogen-based steelmaking technologies. The pilot facility will test direct reduction processes using hydrogen as a reducing agent, replacing traditional coal-based blast furnace operations that account for approximately 70% of steelmaking sector CO₂ emissions globally. This initiative supports Hyundai Steel's carbon neutrality target of 2050, aligning corporate strategy alongside South Korea's national climate commitments. The pilot plant will generate critical operational data regarding hydrogen reduction processes, metallurgical quality & process economics, informing subsequent commercial-scale deployment decisions amid infrastructure & cost challenges.