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However, this role will be dependent on the Following hydrogen-based technologies are
regional availability of high-quality scrap. Therefore, promising and will have a huge impact once made
it could be limited in regions with an inadequate commercially viable:
supply of high-quality scrap, making other
technologies a must. HYBRIT: Direct reduction of iron into steel using
hydrogen and renewable energy generates water as
Increasing demand for high-quality scrap will also a by-product instead of carbon dioxide.
lead to extra cost for EAF-based steel production.
COURSE-50: This involves reforming coke oven
Transition to gas-based DR-EAF route gas using catalysts and utilising unused heat to
Another matured alternative is the gas-based DRI increase its hydrogen content (from 55% to 67%).
EAF route. In case a carbon-neutral reduction gas This hydrogen-enriched gas is then used for the
is used, such as green hydrogen, the steelmaking reduction of iron ore in the blast furnace.
process can be mostly carbon-neutral and fueled by
renewable electricity in the DR-EAF route. SUS STEEL: Based on hydrogen-based DR-EAF steel
making (Hydrogen Plasma Smelting Reduction:
Currently, Iron ore can be reduced to iron HPSR process).
by reduction with Natural Gas (NG). NG can SALCOS: The SALCOS technology uses hydrogen-
play an interim role in the transition phase by based DR-EAF steel making
implementing the DR/EAF production route.
FLASH OXIDE SMELTING: The process would use
DRI-EAF route based on NG would result in a ~40% inexpensive NG (or hydrogen) to heat the ore and
CO2 emission reduction compared to the BF-BOF remove oxygen, in converting the ore into metal.
route. In the long term, use of green hydrogen in
place of NG will lead towards carbon neutrality. Technologies for Carbon Capture,
However, this is mainly dependent on the Utilisation/ Storage (CCU/S)
availability of required gases.

Biomass reductants
This process uses biomass, such as heated and
dried sugar, energy cane, or pyrolysed eucalyptus,
as an alternative reductant or fuel. It is regionally
dependent and mainly crucial in areas where the
biomass supply is guaranteed, like in South America
or Russia.

In Europe, biomass availability is likely not enough
to reduce carbon emissions on a large scale. This is
used as reductant and may replace coal.

Use of Hydrogen in Blast Furnace
Hydrogen reduction is not yet proven at industrial
scale and is currently more expensive than the In addition to the above shift in energy systems,
BF-BOF route. However, it also depends on the carbon dioxide capture with permanent sequestration
availability of hydrogen. (CCS) / viable utilisation (CCU) prepares to play a
significant role in defining the future energy systems.
Green Hydrogen generation requires intensive New technologies such as the HIsarna process generate
renewable electrical energy, and with the CO rich emissions for economic capture other than
availability of economical solar & wind power, green 20% emission reduction by replacing Coke making and
2
hydrogen is expected to be affordable by 2030.
agglomeration processes. However, the commercial
transformation will require time.

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