Green steel programme receives final approval, marking its official start
(Foto: program Groeien met Groen Staal)
February 16, 2024 – On 12 February, the Growing with Green Steel programme received official approval for a grant of more than 100 million euros from the National Growth Fund. The approval means that this eight-year program, which was developed by a consortium of 31 parties led by the Materials innovations institute (M2i), will start.
Steel production accounts for 7 % of global CO2 emissions. That should and could be more sustainable. That is why 31 parties, both research institutes and industry, are joining forces to develop a new set of technologies based on hydrogen, renewable energy and circular iron and steel processing. The ultimate goal is a CO2-neutral steel sector by 2050.
The programme focuses on transforming the entire steel cycle in the Netherlands. It studies, among other things, how hydrogen and more recycling can be used to make greener steel, but also how the new processes can produce high-quality steel. Because all these adjustments in steel production affect the final product. Changes in chemical composition give the steel different properties, such as strength and corrosion resistance. This means that green steel will have an effect not only on steel production companies, but on the entire steel processing industry, from wind turbines to drinking cans, and thus on society.
