[ Sustainability ]
[ Sustainability ]
Technologies and initiatives increasingly seen as the future of sustainable steel production include hydrogen-based iron reduction( DRI), electric arc furnaces( EAF – ideally powered by renewable electricity), increased scrap recycling and circular production, and low-carbon product certifications and procurement policies. Of course, a complete transition to‘ green steel’ will inevitably take time – for one due to economic constraints, but also because it may not make environmental sense to tear down and replace a modern blast furnace. Be that as it may, many steel mills are making significant progress as evidenced by announcements of‘ green’ stainless steels, news of emissions reductions, and awards updates from independent authorities. In 2024, for example, Acerinox launched EcoACX ®, described as a quantum leap in the stainless steel industry. EcoACX was called a solution to customers looking to meet their own sustainability goals:“ choosing EcoACX ® means directly and verifiably reducing our customers’ Scope 3 emissions.” Acerinox stated that EcoACX ® is produced from 90 % recycled material, has a 50 % CO 2 intensity reduction, and is produced using 100 % renewable energy. In short, EcoACX ® is a key aspect of the company’ s‘ 360 Positive Impact’ sustainability strategy. In that same year, Swiss Steel Group launched its Green Steel and Green Steel Stainless +, the latter said to be a new variant of stainless steel that meets the highest ecological standards. With production relying on EAF technology, the company stressed the need for vigilance during the scrap sorting process.“ At Ugitech, a subsidiary of the Swiss Steel Group, the average recycling rate in 2023 was an impressive 77.4 %.
This is made up of new scrap( internal scrap and fabrication scrap) and old scrap( post-consumer). Our scrap is carefully sourced and sorted, mainly from Europe. These measures have enabled us to reduce Scope 3 emissions at Stainless + by over 75 %, and the CO 2 footprint is around 1.0 tCO 2 e per tonne of steel supplied.” During its September 2023 launch of Infinite™, Aperam said the portfolio included several types including 304 for austenitic and multiple ferritic grades. The company indicated that in Europe, Infinite™ is made with up to 98 % recycled material content and achieves up to 85 % reduction in CO 2 emissions compared to industry standards. As an aside, Aperam has again been included in the latest Clean200™ list by Corporate Knights. Alleima’ s sustainability efforts have been acknowledged by the Science Based Targets initiative( SBTi). The company states:“ these targets mean that Alleima is reducing its Scope 1 and 2 CO 2 emissions by more than 54 % and Scope 3 emissions by 28 % by 2030, using 2019 as the base year. Alleima has already reduced its Scope 1 and 2 CO 2 emissions by 41 %, well ahead of schedule. To continue this progress, Alleima will focus on various technical solutions for electrification and energy efficiency as well as hydrogen and biogas.” In India, Jindal Steel’ s MD Mr Abhyuday Jindal says the company is steadfastly committed to achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050 with a focus on 100 % recyclable stainless steel.“ Through deliberate decarbonization efforts, we have successfully reduced approximately 240,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.”
Ongoing innovation Interest in developing and upscaling promising green technologies continues
With Green Steel Stainless + production relying on EAF technology, Swiss Steel Group have stressed the need for vigilance during the scrap sorting process. Courtesy Swiss Steel Group, www. swisssteel-group. com.
apace. Hence September 2025 saw Outokumpu and Boston Metal sign an MoU to enhance the production of critical carbon-free metals vital for industries such as defense and aerospace. As part of the agreement, Boston Metal will evaluate and test their molten oxide electrolysis( MOE) technology with the aim of further improving sidestream recycling within Outokumpu’ s operations and improving Outokumpu’ s overall circularity approach. Meanwhile, Outokumpu will provide chrome-oxide and chromium feedstock which originated from their Kemi mine in Finland to Boston Metal with the aim to help expand and further secure the supply chain for its inert anode— an essential component of MOE for Green Steel.
Green hydrogen-based direct reduced iron with EAF is seen as a driver for near-zero emissions steel production.
Green steel revolution: complete guide to hydrogenbased DRI / EAF production
Looking for a solid introduction to DRI / EAF? Then do take a moment to read an online article by Michael Finn. His presentation neatly overviews the DRI / EAF process chain, reviews the new equipment landscape, assess the economics, and finally considers maintenance aspects. https:// oxmaint. com / industries / steelplant / green-steel-hydrogen-dri-eafproduction-guide
16 Stainless Steel World May 2026 www. stainless-steel-world. net