The world’s number one steel producer ArcelorMittal will pioneer a novel technique for carbon dioxide reduction at its German plant in Eisenhüttenstadt. The Top Gas Recycling (TGR) method separates carbon dioxide emissions as they exit the furnace and recycles the CO2-free emissions for further steel production. The technology is expected to reduce carbon dioxide by 16 percent compared to current leading methods. This is the first time TGR will be implemented on an industrial scale.

This milestone comes as part of the Ultra-Low CO2 Steelmaking (ULCOS) program, which was launched in 2004 and renewed as ULCOS II in 2009. ArcelorMittal, a well established investor in Germany’s steel industry, is the industrial coordinator of the consortium that encompasses 48 European companies, universities and laboratories working together to significantly reduce carbon dioxide in steel production. The primary goal is to reduce CO2 emissions from steelmaking by 30-70 percent by the year 2050 compared to current best practice scenarios. The project is supported by the European Commission.

The TGR method is the first step in a process to eventually include carbon capture and storage of the TGR-separated carbon dioxide. The pilot plant at ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt was chosen for the first phase. During the second phase, a demonstration project will implement TGR and carbon capture storage in Florange, France.

Selection of the German site for the first phase of this project is a testament to Germany’s leadership in clean technologies. Ranging from the number one solar market in the world to its long tradition in automotive innovations, Germany has made headway in creating a sustainable economy. The environmental technologies sector expects to generate revenues in excess of EUR 1 trillion by 2030. Public and private research institutes cooperate with industry players, supporting innovative R&D to the tune of over EUR 55 billion annually.

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