Production of green steel in Ukraine can reduce global carbon emissions

Production of green steel in Ukraine can reduce global carbon emissions shutterstock
Katerina Belousova

Ukraine will be able to replace Russia and China on European markets in a number of sectors

The project coordinator of the Office of Reforms of the Cabinet of Ministers, Maryna Denysyuk, said that creation of new green steel factories in Ukraine, in particular during post-war recovery, will help industry to get rid of part of Scope 3 indirect emissions.

Ukraine has a significant amount of raw materials and the potential to produce 140 GW of wind and 100 GW of solar energy, in particular for the production of hydrogen, which is necessary for the production of green steel, she said at to the national annual congress of environmentalists: "Environmental safety of business-2023. Communities in environmental restoration".

"We will have green steel, because we have raw materials for this," she emphasized Denisyuk. - Why emissions? Scope 3, why emissions from transportation? Come to us, build new factories already in Ukraine. After all, we have everything we need."

As you know, currently the only industrial technology for the production of green steel is smelting in electric arc furnaces using scrap as raw material.

It is worth noting that one of the foundations of decarbonization of industry is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in value chains, namely direct emissions of Scope 1 and 2, as well as indirect emissions (Scope 3). These include emissions that the company does not directly influence and that are related to purchased goods and services. That is, the production of green steel in close proximity to raw materials will help in the global fight against climate change.

In addition, the industry's green transition will allow companies outside the EU to avoid paying the CBAM carbon tax and buying carbon allowances in the bloc.

Denysyuk emphasized that Ukraine will be able to replace Russia and China on the European markets in a number of sectors, as it has all the basic components for this.

As you know, the group Metinvest in June 2023 announced its intention to produce DRI products, i.e green steel, at its reconstructed plants in Mariupol and Avdiivka, in Donetsk region, after the deoccupation. And also join the green transition of Ukraine and Europe.

"A big advantage is that magnetite iron ore is mined in Ukraine, which can be enriched to the quality of DRI and HBI [hot briquetted iron – ed.] using already known technologies. All that is needed for this is energy," said the company's general director Yuriy Ryzhenkov.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine can and will definitely become a green energy hub for Europe.

Related
Heavy metals in tap water: how shelling is affecting the country’s water bodies
Heavy metals in tap water: how shelling is affecting the country’s water bodies

Significant pollution may make it necessary to cut off the water supply

The government must reach an agreement with the EU on postponing the CBAM for Ukraine — FRU
The government must reach an agreement with the EU on postponing the CBAM for Ukraine — FRU

This greenhouse gas emissions levy is causing significant losses in the steel and cement industries

In almost all towns and cities across Ukraine, air pollution levels on 5 October exceeded the limit
In almost all towns and cities across Ukraine, air pollution levels on 5 October exceeded the limit

Lutsk, Rivne and Vinnytsia are currently among the cities with the dirtiest air

Rome and Prague will call for a relaxation of the EU’s climate regulations
Rome and Prague will call for a relaxation of the EU’s climate regulations

This concerns emission permits and regulations relating to methane