Green Steel: the building block of the future

Julian Verden, a member of the EUROMETAL Presidency Board and Managing Director of Stemcor Europe, participated in the 695th Lord Mayor’s Lecture yesterday, themed “Green Steel – The Building Block of the Future.”

In his presentation, Verden provided an overview of the steel industry, emphasizing its global importance and the challenges posed by carbon emissions. He explained the two main methods of steel production: the blast furnace, which is carbon-intensive, and the electric arc furnace (EAF), a more sustainable option that uses recycled steel scrap and cleaner energy sources.

Verden discussed the potential of green hydrogen as a fuel source in steel production, highlighting its capacity to reduce carbon emissions significantly. However, he acknowledged the challenges of scaling up hydrogen production and ensuring its availability for widespread industry use.

The discussion also addressed the role of government policies in advancing green steel initiatives. Verden emphasized the need for supportive policies and investments to facilitate the transition to low-carbon steel production.

Overall, the lecture offered valuable insights into the steel industry’s current landscape and the transformative potential of green steel in building a sustainable future: