Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

Written by Becca Moczygemba

April 20, 2023

As the ISRI Convention and Expo this week in Nashville, Tenn., comes to a close, I’m sure everyone’s mind is on recycling. While green steel and sustainability have been buzzwords for some time now, evidence of change is growing.

You may recall the announcement of an alliance between US Steel, Equinor, and Shell to establish a hydrogen hub in the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia tri-state area. Recently, the Ohio River Valley Institute released a report titled: Green Steel in the Ohio River Valley: The Timing is Right for the Rebirth of a Clean, Green Steel Industry. The report looks at US Steel’s Mon Valley Works in Pennsylvania as an example for transitioning from basic oxygen furnace (BOF) to electric-arc Furnace (EAF). It’s only 75 pages if you’re looking for some light reading. Jokes aside, the Ohio River Valley has been integral in the growth of the domestic steel industry, and it looks like it’s getting some TLC.

According to the report, full decarbonization of steel is within reach. Though technology can sometimes come at a higher cost than the traditional BOF, a combination of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy or H2, and direct-reduced iron (DRI) can aid steelmakers in reaching their goals.

Currently, there is no global standard for green steel; something the Global Steel Climate Council is working hard to establish. Though there is not a definition etched in stone, the report refers to it as being, “steel that is produced in any way that reduces its carbon footprint.” Of course, the low emissions can be derived from the type of energy a steel mill uses to the amount of scrap they use. Which is why it’s so important to have a set standard.

The tri-state hydrogen hub is currently in the development stages, and recently submitted its application to the US Department of Energy Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program (H2Hubs). If you’d like to read more, plans for the hub, a project summary, and an interactive map of the infrastructure concept, can be found on the Decarbonization Network of Appalachia’s website.

By Becca Moczygemba, becca@steelmarketupdate.com

Becca Moczygemba

Becca Moczygemba is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has been in the steel industry since 2017, specializing in flat-rolled products. Prior to joining SMU, she held positions at Mitsui & Co. and Kloeckner Metals. Becca has a BA in Organizational/Corporate Communication from the University of Houston and an MBA from Norwich University. Contact Becca at becca@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1000.

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