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Review of Life Cycle Assessments for Steel and Environmental Analysis of Future Steel Production Scenarios

Author

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  • Julian Suer

    (Institute of Sustainability in Civil Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG, 47166 Duisburg, Germany)

  • Marzia Traverso

    (Institute of Sustainability in Civil Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Nils Jäger

    (Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG, 47166 Duisburg, Germany)

Abstract

The steel industry is focused on reducing its environmental impact. Using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, the impacts of the primary steel production via the blast furnace route and the scrap-based secondary steel production via the EAF route are assessed. In order to achieve environmentally friendly steel production, breakthrough technologies have to be implemented. With a shift from primary to secondary steel production, the increasing steel demand is not met due to insufficient scrap availability. In this paper, special focus is given on recycling methodologies for metals and steel. The decarbonization of the steel industry requires a shift from a coal-based metallurgy towards a hydrogen and electricity-based metallurgy. Interim scenarios like the injection of hydrogen and the use of pre-reduced iron ores in a blast furnace can already reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions up to 200 kg CO 2 /t hot metal. Direct reduction plants combined with electrical melting units/furnaces offer the opportunity to minimize GHG emissions. The results presented give guidance to the steel industry and policy makers on how much renewable electric energy is required for the decarbonization of the steel industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Julian Suer & Marzia Traverso & Nils Jäger, 2022. "Review of Life Cycle Assessments for Steel and Environmental Analysis of Future Steel Production Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:14131-:d:957203
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    2. Matthias Schlipf & Bastian Striegl & Tobias Gaugler, 2024. "Climate true‐cost analysis of industrial goods and its regulatory implications on value chains and global competition," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(3), pages 589-602, June.
    3. Bożena Gajdzik & Radosław Wolniak & Wiesław Grebski, 2025. "An Econometric Analysis of CO 2 Emission Intensity in Poland’s Blast Furnace–Basic Oxygen Furnace Steelmaking Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-30, April.
    4. Justus Poschmann & Vanessa Bach & Matthias Finkbeiner, 2023. "Decarbonization Potentials for Automotive Supply Chains: Emission-Intensity Pathways of Carbon-Intensive Hotspots of Battery Electric Vehicles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-20, July.
    5. Alessandro Cardarelli & Marco Barbanera, 2023. "Substitution of Fossil Coal with Hydrochar from Agricultural Waste in the Electric Arc Furnace Steel Industry: A Comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-19, July.
    6. Mohammad Meysami & Alex Meisami & Mohammad Merhi & Hassan Dehghanpour & Amirhossein Meysami, 2025. "Predicting CO 2 Emissions in U.S. Ironmaking: A Data-Driven Approach for Long-Term Policy and Process Optimization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-15, June.
    7. Sachi Furukawa & Ryohei Iwami & Yoshihiro Kimura, 2025. "Development of an Environmentally Friendly Steel Structural Framework: Evaluation of Bending Stiffness and Yield Bending Moment of Cross-Laminated Timber Slab–H-Shaped Steel Composite Beams for Compon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-29, February.

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