PUBLISHER: Stratistics Market Research Consulting | PRODUCT CODE: 1551306
PUBLISHER: Stratistics Market Research Consulting | PRODUCT CODE: 1551306
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Green Steel Market is accounted for $4.02 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $52.85 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 53.6% during the forecast period. Steel made with techniques that drastically cut carbon emissions when compared to conventional steelmaking processes is referred to as green steel. In order to produce green steel, conventional coal-based processes are usually replaced with cutting-edge technologies like hydrogen-based direct reduction and renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. Moreover, green steel reduces the carbon footprint, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of the steel industry, which is among the world's leading industrial sources of carbon dioxide emissions.
According to the World Steel Association, the global steel industry is responsible for approximately 7% of all direct emissions from the use of fossil fuels, highlighting the urgent need for the adoption of green steel technologies to reduce the sector's carbon footprint.
Increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly products
The global trend towards sustainability is changing industrial practices as well as consumer preferences. Consumer goods, construction, and automotive end users are among the industries where end users are increasingly looking for environmentally friendly, sustainable products. Green steel is quickly replacing conventional steel as a material of choice because it has a much smaller carbon footprint. Additionally, large companies and brands that pledge to become carbon neutral and source sustainable materials for their supply chains are supporting this trend.
Elevated production expenses
The high production costs linked to ecologically friendly steelmaking processes are one of the main barriers to the green steel market. Significant capital investment is needed for technologies like electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy sources and hydrogen-based direct reduction. Inputs that are currently more expensive than traditional coal and natural gas used in conventional steelmaking, like hydrogen and renewable energy, are frequently used in the production of green steel. Furthermore, the switch to producing green steel also necessitates large expenditures in new machinery, infrastructure, and R&D, which raises prices even more.
Development in steel production using hydrogen
The development of technologies for producing steel based on hydrogen presents one of the green steel market's most promising prospects. When hydrogen is utilized as a reducing agent instead of carbon, steel can be produced with only water vapor as a byproduct and with very little carbon dioxide emissions. It is anticipated that as this field of study and development advances, hydrogen-based steel production will become much more efficient and economical. Moreover, the availability and affordability of hydrogen are expected to rise in tandem with rising investments in green hydrogen production and the growth of a global hydrogen economy, rendering this technology more feasible on a large scale.
Strong rivalry with conventional steel manufacturers
Traditional steel producers pose a serious threat to the green steel market because they have established cost-effective production methods that allow them to dominate the global market. Conventional steelmaking enjoys the advantages of economies of scale, well-established supply chains, and reduced production costs because it depends on blast furnaces and carbon-based reduction processes. Additionally, it is difficult for green steel to compete on price, particularly in cost-sensitive markets, because traditional steel producers can offer their products at significantly lower prices than green steel.
The market for green steel was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, the slowdown in the world economy and problems with the supply chain caused a decrease in the demand for steel and a postponement of investments in green technologies. Financial limitations were a barrier for many steel producers, which delayed the adoption of expensive green steel production techniques. However, the pandemic additionally expedited the transition towards sustainability, given that governments and industries realized the significance of robust and environmentally conscious practices in the aftermath of the pandemic.
The Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) market segment has the largest share in the green steel market. Because of its ability to use renewable energy sources and its efficiency in using scrap steel, EAF technology is a key player in the production of green steel. EAFs, as opposed to conventional blast furnaces, have the potential to drastically lower carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuels with electricity-ideally electricity generated by renewable sources like solar or wind energy. Moreover, this method is essential to sustainable steelmaking processes because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes a circular economy by recycling pre-existing steel.
The Wind segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
The wind energy segment of the green steel market is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR. Electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and other green steel production technologies depend on a large and consistent supply of renewable electricity, which is why wind energy is growing so quickly. Wind power is a desirable alternative for lowering the carbon footprint of steel production because wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity without releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Additionally, the green steel industry is seeing a surge in the adoption and growth of wind technology due to its falling costs, favourable policies, and growing investments.
The European region has the largest market share for green steel. The region has led the world in producing green steel because of its steadfast dedication to sustainability and strict legislative frameworks that encourage carbon reduction. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and electric arc furnaces (EAFs) are examples of cutting-edge technologies that have gained traction in Europe due to the continent's aggressive carbon emission reduction targets and significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure. Furthermore, Europe's strong industrial base and pro-green government policies reinforce its leadership in the shift to more environmentally friendly steel production.
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to have the highest CAGR in the green steel market. The region's growth is being propelled by its rapid industrialization, rising steel demand, and large investments in green technologies. Focusing on incorporating sustainable practices into their steel production processes, nations like China and India are attempting to meet global emissions targets while also addressing environmental issues. Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region's green steel industry is growing at a rapid pace, partly due to government policies that support lower carbon footprints and expand renewable energy capacity.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players in Green Steel market include Boston Metal, JFE Steel Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation, Emirates Steel Arkan Group, Ansteel Group, Nucor Corporation (Nucor Tubular Products), POSCO International, H2 Green Steel, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, Green Steel Group Inc., Swiss Steel Group, Arcelor Mittal, JSW Steel, Salzgitter AG and Voestalpine AG.
In June 2024, JSW Energy said that it has inked power purchase agreements through its subsidiaries for wind and solar projects with a cumulative capacity of 1,325 MW. This includes 1,025 MW with Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) and 300 MW with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), bringing the total locked-in capacity of the company to 13.6 GW.
In January 2024, Emirates Steel Arkan (ESA) recently announced that it has signed a 5-year, $2 billion contract with Bahrain Steel Company (BSC) to supply high-grade iron-ore pellets. The companies signed the agreement during the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Growth initiative, held recently in Bahrain.
In December 2023, Nippon Steel Corporation announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which NSC will acquire U. S. Steel in an all-cash transaction at $55.00 per share, representing an equity value of approximately $14.1 billion plus the assumption of debt, for a total enterprise value of $14.9 billion.