ZEROSTEEL: Pioneering CO2-Neutral Steel Production
Targets up to 90% lower emissions in steelmaking
Employs hydrogen-based innovations to replace fossil fuels
Utilizes waste biomass for clean pre-heating and CO2 reuse.
Uses AI-driven tools to boost steel quality and efficiency.
Vision
ZEROSTEEL envisions a future where steel production contributes to achieving global climate goals by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Who we are
About ZEROSTEEL
ZEROSTEEL is an innovative research and development initiative aimed at decarbonizing the steel production process by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. Supported under the Horizon Europe framework, the project addresses critical global challenges in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the steel industry while maintaining high efficiency and sustainability.
Our Partners
Companies like Otanmäki Mine Oy and VALE supply the essential raw materials needed for innovative steel production processes
Institutions such as IJL/CNRS, TUBAF, TUWIEN, and KUL are spearheading the design and implementation of cutting-edge technologies.
Organizations like DITENCO play a crucial role in testing and verifying the efficacy of the proposed processes
Steel producers and adopters, including ERDE, ensure that ZEROSTEEL’s innovations are practical and impactful in real-world scenarios.
Background
Steel production is one of the largest industrial sources of global CO2 emissions, accounting for approximately 8% of total annual emissions. The traditional steelmaking process, heavily reliant on coal and other fossil fuels, emits an average of 1.85 tons of CO2 per ton of steel produced. As demand for steel continues to grow, reducing its carbon footprint has become a crucial goal for the industry.
The European Green Deal and international climate agreements have placed decarbonization at the forefront of industrial innovation. However, transforming the steel sector requires addressing significant technological, economic, and social challenges. These include reducing emissions across the value chain, mitigating reliance on carbon-intensive processes, and integrating renewable energy sources. ZEROSTEEL was established to tackle these challenges and demonstrate scalable, sustainable solutions for CO2-neutral steel production.
Discover how ZeroSteel is paving the way for a carbon-neutral future with cutting-edge technology, renewable energy, and digital innovation
Key Objectives
ZEROSTEEL’s objectives are centered around developing and implementing innovative technologies for a sustainable steel industry
Integration of waste biomass in the pre-heating and reduction stages to achieve below-zero emissions.
Development of four advanced reduction methods utilizing hydrogen, including fluidized bed reactors, rotary kilns, microwave-assisted reduction, and hydrogen plasma smelting.
Use of biochar as a slag foaming agent to reduce emissions in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) operations.
Adoption of hybrid plasma heating and renewable energy-based induction heating for forming and shaping steel.
Implementation of AI-driven digital twins for real-time quality monitoring and process optimization.
Comprehensive evaluation of environmental, financial, and social impacts to ensure sustainable operations.