15 Insights on the Global Steel Transformation

A net-zero steel sector and a coal phase-out in steelmaking by the early 2040s are technically feasible. This can turn iron and steel from a hard-to-abate to a fast-to-abate sector and be a key element to increase global climate ambition. The key strategies to achieve such an accelerated steel transformation are material efficiency, an increase of scrap- and hydrogen-based steelmaking plus bioenergy and carbon capture and storage (BECCS). 2 Green iron trade can lower the costs of the global steel transformation and can be a win–win solution for green iron exporters and importers. Transporting embodied hydrogen (H2) as green iron will be significantly cheaper than transporting H2 and its derivatives by ship. For countries with high renewable H2 costs, green iron imports can increase the competitiveness of low-carbon steelmaking, thereby helping to safeguard local jobs in the steel industry.

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For green iron exporters, this can create new jobs and value added. 3 Carbon capture and storage (CCS) on the coal-based blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace route (BF-BOF) will not play an important role in the global steel transformation. CCS on the BF-BOF route is unlikely to reduce direct CO2 emissions beyond 73% and cannot address upstream emissions (coal mine methane leakage). Compared to other key technologies, steelmakers’ efforts to commercialise this technology are currently very low. If BF-BOF CCS does not materialise, new coal-based steel plants face a high carbon lock-in and stranded asset risk. 4 To unlock the full acceleration potential of the steel transformation, national governments need to create an adequate regulatory framework and develop cross-country strategic partnerships. International cooperation will be needed to address key bottlenecks (i.e. DRI plant engineering, suitable iron ore qualities, low-carbon H2), minimise stranded assets and help to unlock green iron trade. Join the vibrant sectoral experts' group:

Hydrogen for Steel