058 Low Emission Steelmaking

Steel is a crucial material utilized across various industries, with significant contributions to global production rates. Over the last few decades, the steel sector has achieved notable advancements in energy efficiency, resulting in a reduction of specific energy consumption by approximately 60%. This reduction aligns closely with a decrease in CO2 emissions, with current emissions at about 2.2 t CO2 per tonne of crude steel produced using efficient blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace plants. The challenges posed by climate change have prompted the steel industry to explore innovative production technologies since the Kyoto Protocol era. Research has demonstrated the necessity of transformative changes in steel production methods to meet targeted emission reductions of at least 50%, surpassing the limited improvements achievable by current methods. Notably, in Japan, a collaborative research initiative commenced in 1999, engaging major steel producers and academic institutions to explore energy-efficient ironmaking processes. By the early 2000s, Europe exhibited a favorable political climate for the practical implementation of low-carbon economies in steelmaking, culminating in substantial partnerships aimed at addressing environmental concerns related to steel production.