Research project
Groeien met Groen Staal. Towards a sustainable future with green steel
How can the integration of innovative technologies, circular material flows, and resource efficiency strategies accelerate the transition to a CO₂-neutral, circular, and high-tech steel sector by 2050, and how can Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) be combined to evaluate and optimize their environmental, material, and economic performance?
- Duration
- 2024 - 2029
- Contact
- Rene Kleijn
- Funding
- Nationaal Groeifonds
- Partners
Short abstract
This project applies Prospective LCA and Dynamic MFA to evaluate the environmental impact of transitioning to net-zero steel production, identifying trade-offs and guiding decision-making.
Project description
Scientific Relevance
Steel production is responsible for approximately 8% of the Netherlands’ CO₂ emissions. Reducing these emissions is essential to meeting national climate goals. This project applies Prospective LCA and dynamic MFA to evaluate steelmaking technologies, considering long-term environmental impacts and material flows. By integrating scenario-based analysis and uncertainty modeling, the research provides insights that can shape a sustainable transition.
Material & Methods
The project develops a Prospective LCA framework to assess innovative steelmaking technologies, including Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) using hydrogen and interim solutions like Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Dynamic MFA will be used to analyze material stocks and flows, such as steel scrap availability, hydrogen use, and energy inputs over time. Data is sourced from industry partners, literature, and the GGS consortium.
Results & Conclusions
The research will provide a comprehensive environmental and material assessment of steel transition pathways, identifying key bottlenecks such as hydrogen availability, material constraints, and infrastructure deployment. It will also offer recommendations for mitigating negative environmental trade-offs and material bottlenecks, ensuring a feasible and sustainable transition.
Follow-up
Findings will support policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers in refining steel transition strategies. Future research may extend methodologies to other industrial sectors undergoing sustainability transitions.
Why Leiden University?
Leiden University’s Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) offers expertise in Life Cycle Assessment, dynamic Material Flow Analysis, and industrial ecology, providing cutting-edge methodologies for sustainability research. The project benefits from interdisciplinary collaboration within the university and external research networks.
Social Relevance
The transition to net-zero steel production aligns with national and international climate policies. By assessing environmental impacts, material flows, and trade-offs, this research supports informed policymaking, reducing risks and accelerating sustainable technology adoption.
Research Question
What are the environmental impacts, material constraints, and trade-offs of emerging steelmaking technologies in the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050?
