Publications » Position papers » Creating markets for low CO2 materials: Sector coupling via lifecycle CO2-credits for the use of low-CO2 steel as 'eco-innovations' in the automotive industry
Creating markets for low CO2 materials: Sector coupling via lifecycle CO2-credits for the use of low-CO2 steel as 'eco-innovations' in the automotive industry
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The European Green Deal emphasizes the will of the European Union to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Important decisions have to be taken very soon for the phase until 2030 for the deployment of the first low-carbon breakthrough technologies on industrial scale, especially in energy-intensive sectors.
The steel industry as well as other basic materials industries need to go through a major transformation process to meet the EU climate objectives. Fulfilling the targets is challenging but technically possible, e.g. via hydrogen-based steelmaking, carbon capture and utilisation/storage, process integration, and utilisation of steel recycling within the limits of scrap availability.
However, despite the high CO2 reduction potential, companies still face huge barriers in terms of commercialisation. Estimations show that the production costs of low-carbon breakthrough technologies will increase significantly under the current political framework, making it impossible for domestic companies to compete on the world market against companies which do not have to undergo climate-related transformational processes.
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Brussels, 22 March 2024 – The future of a strong and resilient EU can only be forged with steel made in Europe. Europe-made low-carbon steel has a strategic role as it enables a net-zero economy, but today it faces strong headwinds from high energy prices, unfair competition, global overcapacity and growing unilateral carbon costs. The year 2023 has recorded the lowest European crude steel production levels ever, with a number of idled plants and dire impact on workers. Ensuring the enabling conditions for the short-term viability and the decarbonisation of the steel sector urgently needs to be at the top of the EU agenda. This is the message delivered by the European Steel Association together with a number of high-level representatives of the sector on the occasion of the Clean Transition Dialogue on Steel in the presence of the Executive Vice Presidents of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič and Margrethe Vestager.
Uses, limits, and realistic potentials of demand-side response from the European steel industry along with a broad set of framework recommendations for an EU policy
Antwerp, 20 February 2024 – Today 73 industry leaders spanning almost 20 industrial sectors presented ‘The Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal’ to Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo and Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. The declaration underlines the commitment of industry to Europe and its transformation and outlines urgent industry needs to make Europe competitive, resilient, and sustainable in the face of dire economic conditions.