CO 2 EMISSIONS IN THE STEEL INDUSTRY

Global CO2 emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels over the past century are presented. Taking into con- sideration the total world production of more than 1,3 billion tons of steel, the steel industry produces over two billion tons of CO2. Reductions in CO2 emissions as a result of technological improvements and structural changes in steel production in industrialized countries during the past 40 years are described. Substantial fur- ther reductions in those emissions will not be possible using conventional technologies. Instead, a radical cut- back may be achieved if, instead of carbon, hydrogen is used for direct iron ore reduction. The cost and the ensuing CO2 generation in the production of hydrogen as a reducing agent from various sources are analysed.