Eco-Friendly Steel Making for a Sustainable Future

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 03 | Page : 6 31
    By

    Santosh Kumar,

  1. Deputy General Manager, R&D Centre for Iron and Steel, (Steel Authority of India Limited), Jharkhand, India

Abstract

The iron and steel industry is one of the most energy-intensive sectors, accounting for approximately 5% of global energy consumption and contributing around 7% of worldwide CO2 emissions. The industry’s carbon footprint is particularly challenging to reduce, as carbon plays a crucial role as a stoichiometric reducing agent in conventional steel production. The reduction of iron ore during the manufacture of primary (virgin) steel is responsible for a sizable amount of these emissions. Increasing the utilization of scrap in electric arc furnaces (EAF) is one way to reduce the demand for virgin steel. The demand for basic steel worldwide is expected to stay constant or perhaps increase because of growing economic prosperity, especially despite increased recycling rates. Furthermore, the development of cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure required for a low-carbon future still depends on high-quality virgin steel. Consequently, it is essential to investigate and apply technological advancements that can significantly reduce emissions in ore-based steel manufacturing. Sustainable development in the steel sector extends beyond increasing production value; it must also be assessed in terms of economic efficiency, resource optimization, worker safety, and environmental responsibility. With global steel production and demand continuing to rise, the industry’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions could double by 2050 if current manufacturing processes remain unchanged. A revolutionary strategy is needed to stop this to guarantee long-term sustainability and compliance with international climate targets. While improvements in energy efficiency within existing processes could achieve a maximum reduction of 25% in overall energy consumption, this would be insufficient to meet climate targets. Given the current climate projections, the steel industry faces growing challenges that incremental improvements alone cannot resolve. To effectively combat global warming, the sector must rapidly adopt breakthrough technologies. This study evaluates both conventional and emerging technologies aimed at reducing energy use and minimizing harmful emissions. Additionally, it showcases current research projects that involve professionals from academia, industry, and research institutions. By integrating technology assessments with microeconomic analysis, the study examines the potential impact of these innovations on global material flows and the future trajectory of the steel industry.

Keywords: Direct reduced iron, blast furnace, hydrogen, steel making, CO2 emission, energy consumption

[This article belongs to Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credits ]

How to cite this article:
Santosh Kumar. Eco-Friendly Steel Making for a Sustainable Future. Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credits. 2025; 15(03):6-31.
How to cite this URL:
Santosh Kumar. Eco-Friendly Steel Making for a Sustainable Future. Journal of Energy, Environment & Carbon Credits. 2025; 15(03):6-31. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joeecc/article=2025/view=227460


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 03
Received 11/07/2025
Accepted 15/07/2025
Published 20/09/2025
Publication Time 71 Days
125

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