ArcelorMittal subsidiary Industeel says it produces heavy plate under the XCarb recycled and renewably produced brand using slab from the electric arc furnace route.
In collaboration with the ArcelorMittal plate mill in Gijon, it is now possible to make structural steel plate with a certified CO2 footprint of 914 kg CO2e per tonne of steel. This is based on a life cycle analysis (LCA) approach and certified by an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), Industeel business development director Andrew Gingell said at this week’s Gulf Steel show in Dubai attended by Kallanish.
To compare, heavy plate produced via the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace route emits around 2.6 tonnes CO2 per tonne of steel.
Gingell did not disclose the specific premium for low-emission plate paid by customers. However, he emphasised the pricing reflects the added value as perceived by the customer, depending on the end-use market and its approach to sustainability.
Scrap-using EAF technology is only one part of the solution for the steel industry, according to Gingell. Since scrap availability is insufficient, the world will still rely on primary iron beyond 2050. Therefore, ArcelorMittal’s decarbonisation strategy emphasises achieving net-zero emissions in primary steel production through the direct reduced iron-based route.
By transitioning from BF-BOF to DRI using natural gas, in conjunction with EAF utilisation, CO2 emissions could be significantly reduced. Further steps involve transitioning to green hydrogen in DRI production, and implementation of carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) technology, leading to a net elimination of CO2 emissions.
The energy transition is driving increased demand for steel in sectors like solar and wind, among others. Industeel’s low-emission plate can therefore find application in various industries supporting decarbonisation efforts, such as biofuels, CCUS, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy storage (including cryobatteries), liquid hydrogen storage, and other energy transition-related sectors.
In response to rising demand for steel from sectors supporting decarbonisation efforts, ArcelorMittal has reorganised its assets. It has created a dedicated division called Sustainable Solutions, which focuses on markets that are both “structurally attractive and experiencing high growth”, with Industeel part of that division.
This division comprises specialised, low-capital ventures playing important roles in addressing climate change. Currently, the construction, engineering project solutions, renewables, metallics, including cleaner scrap, distribution, and service centre sectors collectively contribute around 4% of the company’s $7.6 billion Ebitda. This figure is expected to double over the next five years.
Elina Virchenko UAE
