How fast can European steelmakers decarbonise?

In a world of soaring carbon emissions and global warming, the pressure is on for industrial sectors to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Steelmaking is one of the most carbon-intensive industries, with Europe producing the equivalent of 5.4% of global emissions. But how quickly can European steelmakers decarbonise? Here, we explore the progress the industry is making and the strategies it will need to adopt to reach net zero carbon emissions.

1. Reinvigorating the European Steel Industry

The European steel industry has been one of the major economic drivers over the last century and with changing global markets and strategies, it has become increasingly important to maintain a competitive edge within this sector. Here are some of the changes undertaken within the European steel industry to ensure success:

• Innovation Strategies: The industry has been transforming to focus on increased use of robotics and automation, as well as exploring new avenues such as 3D printing and green energy alternatives.
• Technology: Over the last decade, advancements in technology have been rapidly adopted, allowing European steel companies to reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve the quality of their products.
• Collaboration: The steel industry has been increasingly interconnected with other sectors such as construction and manufacturing, leading to the generation of more opportunities for collaboration and shared interests.
• Data and analysis: Data and analytics programs are being used to better inform strategic decisions and to provide accurate forecasts.

Through these measures, the European steel industry is striving to remain one of the world’s leading producers, embracing existing markets and trading opportunities while simultaneously diversifying into new ones.

2. Achieving Sustainable Decarbonisation

The transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources of energy does present ongoing challenges. Achieving full decarbonisation requires multiple strategies, all of which must be implemented to ensure the transition is both efficient and equitable.

• Increase Substitution – Subsidies and incentives should be offered to industries and households to encourage the switch to sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectricity.
• Improve Energy Efficiency – Modernizing existing infrastructure and utilizing technology to reduce the waste of energy, from heating systems to appliances, is an essential step in .
• Promote Electrification – Transitioning our transportation and heating systems to electricity will result in a substantial reduction of emissions. This should be done through investment and policy support for these electric sectors.

Achieving decarbonisation also requires a shift in consumer behavior and mindset. Every person needs to be conscious of their consumption and to work together with government, business, and civil society to create lasting systemic change. Together, we can make a difference by lowering our carbon footprint and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

3. Key Challenges in Decarbonising Steel Production

Producing steel is an energy-intensive process, and the current methods of production are becoming more and more unsustainable. The steel industry must find ways to reduce its carbon emissions responsibility, but this presents some major problems that need to be addressed.

• Energy Source: Finding a cleaner source of energy is essential to reducing carbon emissions. Steel production requires a large amount of energy, and while renewable sources are increasingly becoming more common, they are often not as efficient or cost-effective as traditional energy sources.
• Cost: Making the switch to renewable energy sources is an expensive endeavor. The cost of production is therefore likely to increase as a result, while demand is not. This makes it difficult to make the switch without negatively impacting profits.
• Technology: The technology available is limited when it comes to making steel in a more sustainable manner. There are some advances being made in low-emission technology, such as carbon capture and storage, but these are still in the early stages and not yet widespread.

These are the key challenges that must be overcome to decarbonise the steel industry. It is clear that significant advances will need to be made before the steel industry can reduce its carbon emissions responsibly. By investing in clean energy sources, researching more sustainable methods of production, and utilising new technologies, we can help to make steel production cleaner in the future.

4. A Roadmap for Carbon-Neutral Steelmaking in Europe

The European Union has had ambitions for carbon-neutral steelmaking for almost a decade, and there is now a roadmap for this goal to become a reality. With a long-term target of reducing steel’s CO2 footprints to zero by 2050, the transition process has already begun in earnest.

The roadmap to carbon-neutral steel in Europe outlines several key steps which must be taken in order to make this transition more achievable. These include:

• Research & Development: Fostering the development of new and more efficient production processes through the strategic investment of public and private funds.
• Carbon-capture & Storage: Targets to increase production of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies share the shared goal of ensuring zero emissions.
• Energy Efficiency and Renewables: Enhancing investments in the steel industry’s own energy efficiency, promoting renewable energy sources and low-carbon fuel sources.
• Behavioural and Supportive Measures: Introduce a steel efficiency and seamless carbon-free steel certification scheme, engage with stakeholders as well as incentives for technology.

From adjusting existing processes to investing in more carbon-efficient manufacturing technologies, European steelmakers have a mountain to climb in decarbonising their operations. They need to create a fair playing field between different steel producers and hold each other accountable for following through on their climate commitments. Ultimately, their success will define the future of Europe’s steel industry and the environmental impacts associated with it. It’s up to us to ensure that this future is as positive and sustainable as possible.