Perspectives on the Promising Pathways to Zero Carbon Emissions in the Steel Industry toward 2050

Addressing the threat of global climate change is an urgent priority for all industries. The Paris Agreement set the global long-term goal of carbon neutral by 2050 for all member countries. As the steel industry occupies approximately 7.2% of the total global greenhouse-gas emissions, innovative technologies that build upon or move beyond the past developments are desired to reach this long-term goal. Various zero carbon technologies have been proposed for the steel industry. This review focuses on the current state of the steel industry from the perspective of long-term targets and pathways for the future. The design of an optimal ironmaking process for low carbon and decarbonization is discussed from a technological perspective, considering comprehensive consistency with sustainability in the steel industry. In particular, perspectives on the hydrogen-based ironmaking process using renewable energy for carbon direct avoidance and smart carbon usage are described.