Relative advantages of Iran in low-carbon steel production
The main method of steel production in Iran, due to the special conditions of the country’s natural gas reserves, is done using electric arc furnaces (EAF) and also using gas as a reducing agent in the production of sponge iron (DRI). Fortunately, this has led to one of the exceptional opportunities for producing steel with lower carbon emissions compared to the global average standards; because most countries produce steel using the blast furnace (BF-BOF) method and coal as a reducing agent, emitting about 2.2 tons of carbon per ton of steel.
If in Iran, due to the explanations mentioned, about 1.6 tons of carbon are emitted per ton of steel, which is an exceptional advantage and a unique opportunity to equip the country’s steel products with a carbon standard certificate, and also create a good basis for maintaining market competition, especially for exporting these products. On the other hand, it is clear that global competition will be very tough in the coming years, and being able to maintain our lead in production with acceptable carbon emission standards through technological changes, productivity, and world-class production will be an undeniable advantage for this large industry and a pride for Iranian manufacturers.
The necessity of modernization and technological transformation
Undoubtedly, the country’s steel industry, which is a symbol of production and a major driver of employment and industry, has historical potential and stability; but due to the high age of this industry, it needs fundamental and technological changes to improve production processes equipped with modern technologies and develop new production lines with the latest scientific findings and intelligent empowerment, so that it can maintain its rank in the internal and global market competition by managing the total product cost and increasing efficiency in a sustainable commercial path and at the highest level.
The role of the Strategic Institute of Mining and Green Steel in the development path
The Strategic Institute of Mining and Green Steel is becoming a dynamic and international institution with a special perspective to identify the achievements of green industries around the world and provide them to the country’s industry based on priority needs. The strategy that the institute insists on to achieve a green industry is the path of productivity using modern and advanced technologies along with intelligentization.
In this path, gradual carbon reduction can be achieved through process improvement, prevention of energy and product waste, use of combined energy and fuel in a circular economy, efforts and cooperation to introduce and teach advanced methods of low-carbon steel production, calls for studies and investment to develop economic hydrogen production infrastructure, reduction of fossil fuels, and gradual injection of hydrogen to achieve its goals.
Also, this institute has prepared a powerful background by forming organizational and specialized connections with universities, scientific and technical centers, scientists, and owners of ideas and elites and experts in the mining and steel industries, energy, water, digital, finance, and … so that it can proudly carry out this cooperation in a worthy and effective manner with influential consultations.
Please do not let this opportunity slip away with not-so-accurate analyses.