Dierk Raabe, Lecture about some scientific aspects of sustainable steel, Royal Society, London 2024

As a researcher deeply immersed in the field of sustainable metallurgy, I am keenly aware of the significant impact that steel production has on our environment. My work, and that of many of my colleagues, seeks to redefine this industry through the lens of sustainability, aiming to do basic research that helps to drastically reduce its carbon footprint and resource consumption of this sector.
Please see some overarching thoughts about this 'once-in-a-generation' challenge in these open-access papers:
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021...
www.nature.com/articles/s4158...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
My approach to sustainable steel production is multi-faceted, reflecting the complexity of the challenge at hand.
Decarbonization stands at the forefront of our efforts. The traditional reliance on coal for both energy and as a reducing agent in steelmaking is a major source of CO2 emissions. I advocate for the adoption of hydrogen reduction processes, where hydrogen, produced via electrolysis or plasma-based methods powered by renewable energy, serves as the reducing agent for iron ore. This method has the potential to significantly curtail emissions:
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
Additionally, I support the increased use of electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, which melts scrap steel using electricity that can be sourced from renewable energy, thus further reducing the carbon footprint of steel production. Besides this standard approach EAFs can also be used for H-based plasma reduction:
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
The science of materials plays a crucial role in our quest for sustainability. By engineering the microstructure of steel to create alloys that are both high-strength and lightweight, we can achieve superior performance with less material. This not only conserves resources but also reduces energy consumption in applications such as transportation, where the weight of materials is a critical factor.
www.sciencedirect.com/science...
A circular economy perspective is central to my vision of sustainable steel production. Steel's inherent recyclability, without loss of quality, offers an immense opportunity to minimize waste. Designing products and structures for easy disassembly and recycling at the end of their life is a principle I champion. Improving recycling processes to maximize steel recovery and minimize downcycling is essential.
Energy efficiency in steel production processes is another area of focus. By optimizing these processes to minimize heat loss, and by implementing systems to capture and reuse waste heat, we can make significant strides in reducing energy consumption. The integration of renewable energy sources into steel production is also a key component of my approach.
The comprehensive assessment of a product's environmental impact, from cradle to grave, through life cycle assessments (LCAs), is something I consider indispensable. This holistic view enables us to identify and target specific areas across the production, usage, and end-of-life phases for improvement, aiming to reduce the overall environmental footprint of steel products.
Lastly, continuous innovation and research are the bedrock of sustainable steel production. Overcoming the technical and economic challenges inherent in this field requires relentless pursuit of new materials, processes, and technologies that can lower energy requirements, emissions, and waste.
In summary, my perspective on sustainable steel production is that it is an intricate, multidisciplinary endeavor that demands a systemic shift towards renewable energy sources and circular economy principles. Through dedication to research, innovation, and collaboration across industry and policy sectors, we can steer the steel industry towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
www.dierk-raabe.com/