Freiberg Steel Day - 150 years of the Institute of Iron and Steel Technology
Green steel, climate neutrality and decarbonisation - a challenge for the steel industry by 2050
Can the steel industry be made climate neutral and the associated value chains sustainably decarbonised? This question has global implications and requires far-reaching technological and economic changes. The steel sector is one of the most energy-intensive industries of all: in Germany, the steel industry currently requires around 2.1 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year and around 25 terawatt hours of electricity, which is equivalent to Denmark's entire annual electricity production. The dramatic rise in energy prices is causing annual additional costs in the billions and poses a massive threat to the competitiveness of the German steel industry. Short-term relief, such as a cap on electricity and gas prices, would only be a first step in overcoming the acute crisis, but it does not solve the structural challenges facing the industry.
Climate-neutral steel production requires a radical technological transformation. The focus is on two central approaches: firstly, the avoidance of CO₂ emissions through the use of hydrogen, for example in the blast furnace process or in the direct reduction of iron ore. Hydrogen can be used here as a substitute for carbon-containing reducing agents and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. The industry is also focusing on the material and chemical utilisation of the CO₂ produced in order to incorporate it into new value-added cycles and thus further reduce emissions.
Another key component is the circular economy. Scrap-based electric steel production is becoming increasingly important here, as it saves energy and raw materials. In addition, by-products of steel production, such as slag, are used sustainably as substitute building materials, while fly ash and sludge are returned to the production cycle as far as possible.
Huge investments are required for these processes to be implemented on an industrial scale, however. The electricity requirements of the steel industry will continue to increase as a result of the switch to hydrogen. This not only requires enormous amounts of green electricity, but also the development of a nationwide infrastructure for hydrogen distribution. Such a technological changeover cannot be managed by the steel companies alone. Comprehensive financial support is needed to support research and development as well as practical implementation on an industrial scale.
The central question remains: How can the energy-intensive German steel industry, along with its value chains and jobs, be safeguarded without permanently damaging Germany as an industrial location? The answer lies in the balance between technological progress, political support and long-term planning security. The future of the steel industry will be decided at the intersection of sustainability, competitiveness and social responsibility.
