[ Sustainability ]
[ Sustainability ]
scrap-based EAF steelmaking and securing strategic partnerships for green iron imports. As of end February 2025, 33 near-zero emissions steel projects have been announced – but only a fraction are progressing as scheduled. Improving policy support, energy infrastructure and green hydrogen deployment will all be critical to the transition.” The financial considerations of lowcarbon steels were considered by Transition Asia.“ Tokyo Steel and Yamato Steel have launched low carbon steel brands using non-fossil fuel certificates, while Chubu Steel Plate has also announced the launch of a green steel brand. According to scrap-EAF steelmakers and trading companies, there is some domestic demand for these products from manufacturers and construction firms seeking to address their Scope 3 emissions, but the primary driver of developing these products was to meet expected international demand for low carbon steel products. Domestically, many companies remain hesitant to purchase these products due to the price premium over conventional scrap-EAF steel.” Finally, in March this year the European Commission revealed details of its Industrial Accelerator Act, based on a framework of measures for accelerating industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors. Amongst others the Act sets out requirements for public procurement, including low carbon materials such as steel in combination with EU thresholds.
Sustainability Awards 2025 In 2025, worldstainless presented its Sustainability Gold Award to Nippon Steel Corporation for the application of duplex stainless steel to the cargo hold of general cargo ship Toshinmaru. In this case study, duplex stainless steel and stainless steel clad plates were adopted for the cargo holds of general cargo ships to reduce maintenance burden, improve corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and life cycle cost. The Silver Award went to Acerinox for its decanting and recovery plant for industrial oils. Nippon Yakin received the Bronze Award for their environmental improvement and efficiency enhancement in slab penetrant testing work.
Recycle now! With so much positive sustainability news to report it seems almost churlish to finish on two discordant notes. They are presented not to debase current efforts, but rather to raise awareness of – and help avoid- potential pitfalls. Firstly, a quote from Michael Finn( see box‘ Green steel revolution’).“ I’ ve been involved in green steel project development and commissioning for 7 years, working across three of the major European hydrogen DRI projects, and the observation I share with every project team is this: the technology works. HYBRIT proved that. H2 Green Steel is scaling it. The electrolyzers, the shaft furnaces, the EAFs— the equipment performs as designed. The risk that keeps me up at night isn’ t whether the technology
Case history: metro cars
Metropolis metro in Lyon, France. © ALSTOM SA 2025. Advanced & Creative Design | Metropolis™
In June 2025, Alstom and Outokumpu entered into a partnership for the supply of stainless steel with up to 93 % lower carbon footprint compared to the global industry average. The first delivery of Outokumpu Circle Green ® stainless steel was scheduled for 2026 for use in the latest generation of the Alstom Metropolis metro trains.
will work. It’ s whether the maintenance organization will be ready to keep it working at 95 % availability once the commissioning team leaves. My single strongest recommendation: start building the CMMS configuration, PM libraries, hydrogen safety protocols, and maintenance team competency 18 – 24 months before commissioning— not 3 months before.” And finally, an oft-repeated message from multiple sources to embed recycling in our collective conscience.“ There is no point in spending billions in establishing green steel production facilities, whose products are used in cars, buildings, household devices, etc, if these items simply end up in landfill sites. Governments must develop policies that encourage recycling, whilst companies need to design products that facilitate the separation of constituent components and materials. And we, the multitude at the end of the chain, should act with equal responsibility and recycle with a vengeance.”
A well organized recycling system is an absolute prerequisite for circular steel production.
About the Author
A freelance editor, David Sear has been fascinated by the flow control sector for over three decades. Suggestions, comments and critique are expressly welcomed and can be addressed to: info @ teservices. nl.
18 Stainless Steel World May 2026 www. stainless-steel-world. net