Using low-carbon steel demand to push steel mills’ decarbonization moves: IIO 2024

A low-carbon world will still need steel that can satisfy the diverse demands of a variety of downstream sectors, Frederik Leus, of ArcelorMittal’s Xcarb Business Development section, said in an address to Fastmarkets’ International Iron Ore and Green Steel Summit, being held in Vienna, Austria, on June 25

But the journey to net-zero-carbon steel products will require solutions achieved through more than one technology route, he said.

There are challenges and opportunities in the transition to decarbonization from the customer perspective, he said.

Discover how our suite of green steel prices can support your ‘green’ investment decisions while bringing transparency to the industry. Find out more.

“There are challenges for steelmakers too, including supply-chain security, and [ways] to connect upstream raw materials to downstream end-users,” Leus said. “Mills are very sensitive to environmental data, but it’s also very important to understand the role and value of steel [as a] driver behind the demand for low-emissions steel.”

There are diverse drivers of this low-carbon steel demand, he said, including demand from the global clean energy transition in construction, battery electric vehicles and low-carbon buildings.

The key factor in the transition to net-zero, Leus said, is access to enough clean energy at affordable prices, while the market drivers for consumption of low emissions steel will include procurement for public projects, offtake agreements and green loans.

ArcelorMittal is committed to decarbonizing steel production, he added, and to achieving its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

The company’s route toward decarbonization will combine the use of recycled steel with increased consumption of scrap, and direct-reduction iron in electric-arc furnaces, and the circular economy of carbon capture and storage or reuse (CCUS), as well as clean power in the direct reduction of iron.

ArcelorMittal is using the Xcarb brand to provide a broad range of low-carbon flat steel products for the downstream market, produced with recycled and renewably produced steel, paving the way for the use of DRI in the future.

Learn how our green steel and low carbon steel raw materials pricing options can help your business to meet its sustainability goals. Request a callback.

Follow the low-carbon steel discussion and keep up-to-date with the developments influencing the decarbonization of the steel industry

What to read next
The Chinese steel market is expected to remain reliant on export-led growth for the rest of 2025, amid poor domestic consumption and a lack of investor confidence in the property sector, delegates were told at the Singapore International Iron Ore Forum on Wednesday May 28.
The following prices were published at 4:24pm London time, instead of by the scheduled time of 4pm London time: MB-IRO-0002 Pig iron export, fob main port Black Sea, CIS, $/tonneMB-IRO-0014 Pig iron import, cfr Italy, $/tonneMB-FE-0004 Hot-briquetted iron, cfr Italian ports, $/tonne These prices are a part of the Fastmarkets Steel Raw Materials Physical Prices package. For more […]
Seaborne iron ore prices are on the rise due to increased trading activity and stable market fundamentals, highlighting steady demand and opportunities for growth while emphasizing the importance of monitoring market trends to manage risks effectively.
The recent doubling of Section 232 tariffs to 50%, announced by President Trump, has introduced significant uncertainty to the US steel market, with traders reporting disruptions to imports, paused domestic mill quotes and concerns over potential price increases amid modest demand. Industry participants are now assessing how the additional costs will be absorbed across the supply chain.
After a month-long consultation, Fastmarkets has amended the specification of its weekly steel slab, import, cif Italy, price assessment. To better reflect the material traded in the market, Fastmarkets has reduced the range of specified widths to 1,500-2,500 mm from 1,000-2,500 mm. The publication day of the assessment has also been changed from Friday to […]
After a month-long consultation period, Fastmarkets has amended the publication day of its weekly European steel domestic plate and import plate assessments from Wednesday to Thursday, to better align with related markets. The amended specifications are listed below (changes in italics): MB-STE-0034 Steel domestic plate 8-40mm, exw Northern Europe, €/tonneQuality: S235JR, width 2,500mm, length 12,000mm, thickness 8-40mm […]