What is Green Steel?
Between six and seven percent of the world’s greenhouse gasses are produced by the steelmaking process, making the industry a weighty contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This situation could change significantly in the relatively near future, thanks to efforts to reduce these emissions. This begs the question, “What is green steel?”
The simple answer is that green steel is manufactured using methods with the lowest possible carbon footprint – and these methods vary from producer to producer. In this article, we take a closer look at green steel definition, how this environmentally friendlier option is made, the metal’s properties, uses, and advantages and disadvantages. We also answer a few frequently asked questions.
The simplest answer to the question “what is green steel?” is that it’s steel with a reduced carbon footprint. The typical carbon footprint benchmark in steel production is based on using a blast furnace to produce steel from iron ore. Thanks to alternative technologies, it’s possible to reduce this footprint.
The green steel production process that shows the most promise is hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron ore. Solid iron ore is chemically reduced using hydrogen. This produces ‘sponge iron,’ an intermediary product that is then melted by an electric arc furnace to produce steel.
Whereas a traditional blast furnace burns coking coal, an electric arc furnace is powered by electricity for reduced atmospheric emissions. The carbon footprint can be further reduced by using electricity generated from a reduced carbon or green source such as hydropower, solar, or wind.
While green steel production processes are different from traditional methods, the finished product has the same properties as conventional steel. That said, it may be some years before this reduced carbon footprint option is available in all grades of steel. The properties of green steel include:
There are as many uses for green steel as there are for conventional steel. A few examples of this metal’s applications include:
Green steel has both advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to consider these when deciding whether to use this option for your next project.