A research study from University College London (UCL) posits that modernizing existing iron and steel manufacturing units could curtail carbon emissions by as much as 70 gigatonnes by the year 2050. The significance of implementing these retrofits expediently is emphasized, with the study suggesting that accelerating these modifications by a span of five years could further augment the carbon reduction potential.
Released on September 20 in the scientific journal Nature, the study, spearheaded by researchers from UCL, finds that modernization of global iron and steel plants could lead to a decrease in carbon emissions amounting to 58.7 gigatonnes between 2020 and 2050. This quantum is roughly analogous to a two-year span of worldwide net carbon emissions. Moreover, accelerating the schedule for emission-reducing modifications by five years would further reduce emissions to 69.6 gigatonnes during the same period. It is worth noting that iron and steel manufacturing account for approximately 7% of worldwide carbon emissions.
Table of Contents
Research Methodology
The researchers developed an exhaustive database comprising 19,678 distinct processing units situated in 4,883 individual iron and steel manufacturing plants globally. These units were catalogued based on various technical features such as geographic location, employed technologies, operational specifics, current status, and age.
Iron and steel production is notoriously detrimental in terms of carbon emissions. Data available up to 2019 revealed that 74.5% of global steel was manufactured in coal-driven plants, leading to substantial carbon emissions. Though technologies to mitigate these emissions exist, their implementation is both costly and labor-intensive, generally occurring only at the end of a unit’s functional lifespan.
Insights on Refinement and Modernization
The process of refining iron and steel is taxing on the equipment, requiring periodic retrofits to extend their operational life. On a global scale, 43.2% of these plants have undergone technological upgrades or process improvements to prolong their functional lifespan. These retrofits commonly happen after 15 to 27 years of operational service.
The study concludes that if every currently operational processing unit were to adopt low-emission technology at their next scheduled retrofit, total sector emissions could be curtailed by 58.7 gigatonnes from 2020 to 2050. However, if these retrofits and technological updates were advanced by five years, the total carbon emissions saved would increase by 16% to 69.6 gigatonnes.
Industry-Wide Commitment
According to the academic team, each individual manufacturing unit must contribute to carbon mitigation efforts. The global decarbonization of the iron and steel sector relies on the initiative taken by each of these plants. Given the myriad of production methods utilized globally, there is no universal decarbonization technology suitable for all plants. Each unit should, therefore, undergo technological upgrades tailored to its specific technical attributes.
Technological Distribution and Policy Implications
Around 63% of global steel is produced using blast oxygen furnaces. Retrofitting this specific technology alone could result in the largest net carbon savings, comprising approximately 74% of the total potential carbon reduction. Electric arc furnaces, which account for most of the remaining production, could contribute to an additional 16% in carbon savings, although this is dependent on the global availability of scrap metal for recycling.
The data compiled aims to guide the development of effective strategies for the expeditious implementation of emission-reducing technologies in aging steel plants. This would aid in achieving net-zero carbon emissions at a faster rate.
Recommendations for Policymakers
For policy architects, the study serves as a valuable resource for constructing a timeline and methodology for modernizing iron and steel plants in order to meet carbon reduction targets.
Regional Variations and Major Emission Contributors
The database also uncovers regional disparities in the iron and steel sector. Carbon-intensive, coal-dependent manufacturing units are predominantly located in China, Japan, and India. Conversely, plants in the Middle East and North America generally utilize less carbon-emitting technologies owing to better access to natural gas resources.
Significantly, the top five carbon-emitting iron and steel plants contribute to 7% of the total sector emissions while representing only 0.1% of the total number of plants globally. Targeting these plants for retrofitting would serve as a feasibility model for other plants.
Collaborative Research
The research was a collaborative effort involving UCL, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and King’s College London.
Reference: “Global iron and steel plant CO2 emissions and carbon neutrality pathways” by Tianyang Lei, Daoping Wang, Shijun Ma, Weichen Zhao, Can Cui, Jing Meng, Xiang Yu, Qiang Zhang, Shu Tao, and Dabo Guan, 20 September 2023, Nature.
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06486-7
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about carbon emissions reduction in iron and steel industry
What is the main finding of the University College London study?
The primary discovery of the UCL study is that retrofitting existing iron and steel manufacturing facilities could lead to a reduction in carbon emissions by as much as 70 gigatonnes by the year 2050. The study also emphasizes the importance of accelerating these upgrades.
How significant is the iron and steel industry in terms of global carbon emissions?
The iron and steel industry accounts for approximately 7% of total global carbon emissions. Therefore, advancements in this sector could have a substantial impact on overall global carbon levels.
What methodology did the researchers use?
The researchers created a comprehensive database of 19,678 individual processing units located in 4,883 separate iron and steel manufacturing plants globally. This database was categorized by various technical characteristics such as geographic location, technologies in use, operational specifics, current status, and age.
What are the technological implications of the study?
Around 63% of the world’s steel production comes from blast oxygen furnaces. The study suggests that focusing on retrofitting these furnaces could result in the largest net carbon savings, making up about 74% of the total projected savings.
What is the role of policymakers according to the research?
The researchers emphasize that each processing unit in iron and steel manufacturing plants will require individualized upgrades, tailored to their specific technical attributes. The study serves as a roadmap for policymakers, helping them determine when and how to implement changes to meet carbon reduction targets.
Are there any geographical disparities in carbon emissions from the iron and steel industry?
Yes, the study reveals that carbon-intensive, coal-dependent manufacturing units are mainly located in China, Japan, and India. In contrast, plants in the Middle East and North America generally use techniques that emit relatively less carbon dioxide due to better access to natural gas resources.
Who were the main contributors to the research?
The research was a collaborative effort led by University College London and included contributions from Tsinghua University, Peking University, and King’s College London.
What is the publication date and source of the study?
The study was published on September 20, 2023, in the scientific journal Nature. The DOI is 10.1038/s41586-023-06486-7.
More about carbon emissions reduction in iron and steel industry
- University College London’s Official Website
- Nature Journal
- Tsinghua University Official Website
- Peking University Official Website
- King’s College London Official Website
- Global Carbon Emissions Data
- Iron and Steel Industry Emissions
- Technologies for Reducing Carbon Emissions in Iron and Steel Production
- DOI for the Study
6 comments
this is an eye-opener, 7% of global emissions just from iron and steel? never realized how important this industry is for climate change.
Technologies already exist to make this happen, so what’s the hold-up? I guess its all about the money as usual.
Gosh, China, Japan, and India are the big players, huh. Time for them to lead by example then. Hope the big 5 emitters in the industry take the first step.
comprehensive database with nearly 20k units? thats some serious research right there. Kudos to the team!
Wow, 70 gigatonnes by 2050? That’s a lot of carbon saved. So why aren’t we speedin this up? We gotta act fast.
Great to see universities collaborating on something so vital. Just wish politicians would pay attention and make the needed policies.