How green will the green-steel production be?

Abstract

The steel industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the urgent need to decarbonize the global economy. This transition aims to reduce CO₂ emissions substantially, impacting key sectors such as automotive, construction, transportation, and energy. The shift towards green steel production involves overcoming technological challenges, particularly the reliance on green electricity and hydrogen. This paper explores the technological pathways to achieving net-zero emissions in the steel sector, highlighting the potential for emissions reductions in other industries through the use of steel co-products. It discusses the primary and secondary steel production routes, the generation and utilization of by-products, and the integration of carbon capture and storage technologies. The paper also addresses the challenges of scrap availability and quality, the role of hydrogen in decarbonization, and the economic and regulatory factors influencing the industry's transition. Despite significant efforts, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 remains uncertain, necessitating rapid implementation of low-carbon technologies and supportive policies to ensure the competitiveness of green steel production.