METALS FORUM Steel is stepping up to the climate change challenge

Apr 01, 2008 | 01:28 PM |

Under the auspices of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the North American steel industry began 2008 with the launch of Phase II of its CO2 Breakthrough Program, a unique partnership with leading universities aimed at developing new ways of making steel while emitting little or no carbon dioxide. The program is focused on exploring carbon sequestration technology as well as alternative energy approaches.

Such new developments are required, since today's processes are mature and largely optimized concerning energy use. Steelmakers in the United States have reduced the energy required to produce one ton of steel by 29 percent since 1990, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 17 percent.

The CO2 Breakthrough Program is an international research program coordinated by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI). It involves separate research clusters around the world, which communicate progress through the IISI to help speed this long-term work to its earliest conclusion. The North American cluster is organized under the AISI.

It began with Phase I, a joint program under the Technology Roadmap Program for research and development between members of the AISI and the U.S. Energy Department. Phase I started with a workshop for steelmakers and leading scientists from around the world where a multitude of novel concepts were presented and evaluated. Four technologies were selected for detailed concept studies in Phase I.....