Tag: Green steel

The steel industry accounts for approximately 7% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, primarily due to the carbon-intensive process of reducing iron ore. At its core, this industrial-scale transformation hinges on a fundamental chemical reaction: iron reduction, a process critical to understanding both traditional metallurgy and future eco-friendly manufacturing methods.

Globally, DRI production surpassed 108 million tonnes in 2019, showcasing its immense importance in modern steelmaking. So, what makes DRI a high-quality metallic material, and how is it produced without melting the iron ore?

Steel production currently accounts for roughly 8% of global carbon emissions, making it one of the most carbon-intensive industries. The development of green iron offers a viable pathway to dramatically reduce this environmental impact by using renewable energy and hydrogen instead of traditional fossil fuels.

According to the World Steel Association, annual Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) production reached 136.4 million tonnes in 2023, representing a 65.3% increase compared to 2014 levels. The amount of iron DRI used in steelmaking is increasing due to its high purity and consistent quality, particularly in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) operations focused on sustainable production.

Globally, over 70% of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) production is dedicated to use in Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF). These high-purity iron products are reshaping the steel industry by providing a cleaner, more consistent feedstock for a wide range of steel products, from automotive sheets to construction materials.

Global production of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) surpassed 140 million tons in 2024, confirming that DRI is used around the world as a critical input for steelmaking. This technology is expanding beyond its traditional hubs to meet increasing global demand for cleaner, high-quality steel.

Over 80% of global steel production relies on metallic iron feedstock, with Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) emerging as a crucial component. The primary use of DRI is to serve as a high-quality, low-impurity raw material for steel manufacturing, especially within Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs).