[ COVER STORY ] evolving vision . “ Sustainability has been at the core of our strategy for many years . Of course , the concept of sustainability has evolved significantly over the past ten to fifteen years . In the early days , no one was talking about carbon dioxide ; the focus was on pollutants like NOx , and the emphasis was mainly on the ‘ E ’ in ESG ( Environmental , Social , Governance ). Today , sustainability encompasses a much broader spectrum ,” he explained .
Tenova ’ s commitment to sustainability runs deep across all facets of its operations , with equal emphasis on each component of ESG . Beyond a strong ethical foundation and a commitment to responsible market practices , the company prioritizes the health and safety of both its workforce and its clients . One standout example is Tenova ’ s cutting-edge technology , which enables remote operation from control rooms , drastically reducing human presence in hazardous areas and creating safer working environments . Their suite of solutions enhances safety by minimizing direct exposure to risky conditions , ensuring that both operators and employees benefit from a more secure workplace .
Returning to the environmental aspect of sustainability , Mr . Pancaldi emphasized that while much of today ’ s focus is on reducing CO 2 emissions , other pollutants remain a significant concern . Tenova continues to address a wide array of environmental challenges in its projects , ensuring that its approach to sustainability remains comprehensive and forward-thinking .
From innovation to impact
As a technology developer focused on creating and implementing advanced solutions for the metals industry , Tenova ’ s role in reducing emissions is both direct and indirect . “ Around 25 years ago , we made the strategic decision not to cover the entire steel value chain but to focus on specific niches where we believed we could become global leaders ,” Mr . Pancaldi explained . “ We even exited certain segments where we were a major player , such as rolling mills for long products . When you look at the niches we chose , they are the ones where the majority of CO 2 emissions occur .”
In terms of direct contributions — helping clients reduce their emissions — Tenova leads the market in technologies for producing liquid steel as well as for furnaces used in heating and heat treatment of steel semi-finished and finished products . The company provides innovative methods for steel production and heating that
Mr . Roberto Pancaldi , CEO of Tenova
either eliminate or drastically minimize CO 2 emissions .
“ With the ENERGIRON technology , jointly developed by Tenova and Danieli , we are a leader in direct reduction ( DR ), which replaces the traditional blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace ( BF- BOF ) route , by producing direct reduced iron ( DRI ) which is then melted to liquid steel in an electric arc furnace ( EAF ). In its basic form , DRI eliminates the need for coal or coke , instead using natural gas ,” Mr . Pancaldi elucidated . “ Since natural gas is primarily methane — a combination of carbon and hydrogen , both good reductants — this switch significantly reduces
CO 2 emissions , lowering them from over 2.3 tonnes of CO 2 per tonne of steel to less than one tonne per tonne of steel , the precise number depending on the
CO 2 emitted in the production of electrical energy needed mainly in the EAF .”
Another crucial advantage of Tenova ’ s technology is its ability to sequester a portion of the CO 2
Green Steel World | Issue 15 | November 2024 7