SMA: US steelmakers deserve credit for leading decarbonization charge

When it comes to finding ways to reduce emissions in steel manufacturing, we are in the all-of-the-above camp. Hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, renewable energy, nuclear power, direct-reduced iron (DRI) — all have shown promise. Some, such as on-site solar power, are already a significant part of day-to-day operations at mills operated by members of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA). Others are not yet ready for widespread commercial use but could get there soon. In time, breakthrough clean technologies could revolutionize steelmaking.

What we can say for sure is that the American steel industry’s emissions profile is the envy of the world, owing largely to the scrap-based steelmaking that makes up nearly three-fourths of US capacity. On average, an electric-arc furnace (EAF) produces 75% fewer carbon emissions than the extractive, coal-intensive process that integrated steelmakers use. American steel producers are between 75% and 320% more carbon efficient than global producers, depending on the product category, according to the Climate Leadership Council.