BF decarbonisation necessary but will take time: Basson

Saudi Arabia will find it much easier than other regions to roll out hydrogen-direct-reduced-iron-route steelmaking but a solution will still need to be found to decarbonise blast furnaces globally, says worldsteel director general Edwin Basson.

At last week’s Saudi International Iron & Steel Conference in Riyadh, for which Kallanish was programme partner, Basson said Saudi has the right conditions to accelerate hydrogen-based DRI-EAF steelmaking development. However, this route alone will not be able to produce enough steel to meet global demand.

A solution must therefore be found for making low-carbon steel in blast furnaces, which will take a lot of time and research and development, Basson noted.

Also important will be the efficiency of how steel is used. Particular attention must be paid to the way buildings are designed for easy deconstruction and re-use of steel, Basson concluded.

Adam Smith Poland