Green steel

The economic case for green steel production at a Michigan steel mill

Cleveland-Cliffs’ Dearborn Works blast furnace is due for relining in 2027. Advocates say now is the time to convert it to new technology powered by clean energy.

By Kari Lydersen . 19 November 2024

Brown factory towers against a blue sky — Blast furnaces at a Michigan steel mill (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Green steel

Cleaner steelmaking is actually starting to happen

A new report is “cautiously optimistic” about global efforts to decarbonize iron and steel production. But a rise in coal-based steelmaking threatens that progress.

By Maria Gallucci . 17 July 2024
Climatetech finance

This MIT-backed fund wants to solve the toughest climate problems

The Engine Ventures just raised $400M to help fill the vast funding gap for “tough tech” companies, including firms working to decarbonize heavy industries.

By Maria Gallucci . 27 June 2024
Green steel

How much clean energy does it take to make green steel?

The Biden administration is backing two projects that use clean hydrogen, not coal, to make iron. A new analysis estimates just how much renewable energy those facilities will need.

By Maria Gallucci . 22 May 2024
Green steel

Now Form Energy is using its battery tech to clean up iron and steel

The energy storage startup is adapting its iron-air battery technology to make low-carbon iron, a key input for decarbonizing the steel industry.

By Julian Spector . 21 May 2024
Green steel

US awards $28M for cutting-edge tech to clean up iron and steel

The DOE picked Electra, Limelight Steel, and other teams that are working to slash steel’s emissions. Experts say their innovations are crucial but still far off.

By Maria Gallucci . 18 April 2024
Clean industry

How the essential, dirty steel industry is going green

Green hydrogen will likely play a key role in decarbonizing steel. Experts discussed the complex transition in Pennsylvania, the birthplace of U.S. steelmaking.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 April 2024
Clean industry

US pledges up to $1B for two pioneering 'green steel' projects

Steelmakers Cleveland-Cliffs and SSAB could get up to $500M each to build novel facilities that can make iron for steelmaking using hydrogen.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 March 2024
Clean industry

World's first major green steel project locks down $5B in funding

Swedish firm H2 Green Steel says construction is “well underway” at its first-of-a-kind facility. It aims to start churning out low-carbon steel in late 2025.

By Dan McCarthy, Jeff St. John . 23 January 2024
Clean industry

Chart: Here's where the carbon-intensive steel industry is concentrated

China makes half of the world's steel, and steel makes up a huge portion of the world's carbon emissions.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 27 October 2023
Clean industry

The trillion-dollar quest to make green steel

From Arkansas to the Arctic Circle, steel manufacturers are exploring ways to decarbonize the CO2-intensive steel industry.

By Maria Gallucci . 25 October 2023