The decarbonization of the steel industry has been widely discussed in Europe over the past few years. But the main focus was on blast furnaces powered by basic oxygen (BF–BOF) due to their higher carbon intensity.
In contrast, electric arc furnace (EAF) manufacturers, which mainly consume ferrous scrap and direct reduction iron (DRI), have received relatively limited attention, partly because they are inherently less carbon-intensive.
But this discrepancy does not take into account the potential and problems inherent only in the production of EDP, especially in an environment where the industry is moving to a wider use of waste and renewable electricity. The decarburization process of steel in electric furnaces is essential to achieve a comprehensive level playing field in the European steel industry.
During the Fastmarkets International Iron Ore and Green Steel 2025 Summit, which took place in Barcelona on June 17-19, Yulia Bolotova, Fastmarkets Strategic Markets editor for Green Steel, met with Alexander Gordienko, export director of the Spanish chipboard-based steelmaker Celsa Group, to discuss these topics and more.
develop a definition of green long Steel
Currently, about 55% of steel in Europe is produced using the BF converter route, which generates about 2.0 to 2.2 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) (both direct and indirect) per ton of steel, according to the European Commission.
By contrast, about 45% of European steel is produced using the electric arc furnace (EDP) route — and this figure is projected to rise to about 57% as the EU transitions to using environmentally friendly technologies in pursuit of its zero emission reduction targets by 2050.
Regarding the definition of green long steel, Gordienko noted that there are currently no such ones, and this is "a bit of a moving target," "with emissions thresholds getting smaller over time.
"If you had asked me[about green longs definition]six months ago, I would have told you that we are considering "green" long products with emissions of up to 500 kg of CO2 per ton of steel…Today, we would like to consider green mines with emissions of under 400 kg of CO2 per ton of steel," Gordienko said.
"And I wouldn't be surprised if[in one year]this number moves up to 300 kg of CO2 per ton of steel," he added.
Competition between steel suppliers for CO2 emissions is getting stronger, EPD is getting "better and better," and energy supply networks are becoming "green" across Europe, according to Gordienko.
"Every time the network becomes 10% greener, we shave off about 50 kilograms[of CO2 emissions]on our EPD",
