Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
22 International Metallurgy and Materials Congress, Istanbul Expo Center, İstanbul, Türkiye, 19 - 21 Eylül 2024, ss.349-352, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
The steel industry, which has entered many value chains closely,
affecting strategic sectors globally, is responsible for 7-9% of global
greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the steel industry is among the key
sectors in reducing carbon emissions. Providing inputs to many strategically
important sectors, the iron and steel industry needs change and transformation
in the context of combating climate change. Green steel production is a concept
that has become increasingly common in recent times in this regard. The concept
involves implementing technologies that generate minimal waste to the
environment through technical, economic, and commercial evaluations for green
steel production. This approach emphasizes the effective and efficient use of
raw materials to preserve our natural resources, contributing to the concept of
sustainability. This concept holds critical importance for the sector's
long-term success and competitiveness. A sustainable iron and steel industry
will not only benefit the environment but also provide significant advantages
for the economy and society. This transformation will create new job opportunities,
improve energy security and public health, and contribute to building a more
livable world.
The journey towards sustainability in the iron and steel sector will
not be easy. The transition to a sustainable iron and steel industry can only
be achieved through the collective efforts of all stakeholders (such as
producers, suppliers, customers, governments, and civil society organizations).
Urgent steps are required to be taken for the necessary financial investments,
technological innovations, and the development of public policies for this
transformation. The steel industry is striving to develop new and sustainable
methods to make steel production more environmentally friendly. One of these
methods is hydrogen-based green steel technology, which can reduce carbon
emissions by up to 95%. By using renewable energy sources such as wind and
solar to produce hydrogen fuel and separating oxygen from iron ore, it is
possible to achieve "zero" carbon emissions. Steel production using
clean energy sources like hydrogen instead of coal or natural gas is referred
to as green steel. Hydrogen-based steel production holds significant potential
for reducing carbon emissions, making it a critical element in the fight
against climate change. The industry is actively exploring and implementing
these innovative approaches to pave the way for a more sustainable and
environmentally friendly future.
The World Steel Association has set the goal of achieving net-zero
emissions by the year 2050. Many companies are investing in low-carbon
production technologies to meet this target. ArcelorMittal, the world's largest
steel producer, is making various investments to increase energy efficiency and
reduce emissions. The company has significantly reduced energy consumption by implementing
waste heat recovery systems in its European facilities. Swedish steel company
SSAB has set the target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045. To achieve this
goal, the company is investing in new technologies such as hydrogen-based iron
production. As the seventh-largest steel producer globally, Turkey urgently
needs to take measures to reduce carbon emissions in production to maintain
competitiveness in steel exports to the EU. Otherwise, it may face additional
taxes ranging from 8% to 19% under the carbon border adjustment mechanism,
depending on the existing conditions. In conclusion, the concerted efforts of
all stakeholders in the industry are crucial for significant steps towards
sustainable green steel production, making it a necessity from environmental,
economic, and social perspectives.