#### Short Background Steel is the foundation of modern civilization. From skyscrapers to bridges, cars to home appliances—steel is everywhere. Its demand has tripled since 1970 and is projected to rise by another 30% by 2050. However, steelmaking is also one of the most carbon-intensive industries, emitting 2.6 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually—more than all road freight combined. Despite its environmental impact, steel remains indispensable, particularly for the energy transition, as renewable infrastructure like wind turbines and solar panels require massive amounts of it. Given these challenges, the future of steel depends on **deep tech innovations** that can revolutionize its production while making it **cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable**. ![[Pasted image 20250210123841.png]] > Richard Serra’s installation, [Equal](https://www.moma.org/collection/works/193590) at MoMA, New York, explored steel’s form and inherent characteristics in finding global balance. --- ### Key Insights 1. **Steel Production Needs a Radical Shift to Reduce Emissions** - 75% of steel is made using [[Basic Oxygen Furnaces BF-BOF]] technology, emitting **1.98 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of steel**. - The alternative, [[Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF)]], which primarily uses scrap steel, slashes emissions to **0.35 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of steel**—a **90% reduction** compared to BF-BOF. - The steel industry faces a **critical investment window**: existing furnaces, with lifespans of 40 years, must be upgraded in the next decade, or they risk locking in decades of emissions. See: [[Steel Making Process]] 2. **AI and Quantum Computing Could Optimize Steelmaking** - **AI-driven process optimization** can enhance **real-time monitoring and predictive control**, reducing fuel consumption and stabilizing furnace temperatures. - **Quantum computing** could revolutionize **material simulations**, leading to the discovery of new **low-emission steel alloys** and more efficient chemical reactions in steel production. - **Predictive models using neural networks** can help lower coke usage, **improving efficiency and cutting CO₂ emissions** in blast furnaces. See: [[Enhancing Steel Production with Hybrid Quantum Machine Learning]] 3. **Steel Recycling is Essential but Insufficient** - Steel is **infinitely recyclable** without losing its properties, and **scrap-based production cuts energy use by 87%** compared to iron ore-based production. - However, current steel demand **outpaces available scrap**, meaning primary production remains necessary. - **Hybrid solutions combining carbon capture, hydrogen-based reduction, and advanced smelting techniques** must complement recycling efforts to meet sustainability goals. --- ### So What? Deep tech solutions—**AI, quantum computing, real-time automation, and advanced materials science**—hold the key to **revolutionizing steelmaking**. The industry stands at a crossroads: failing to act now could result in **locked-in emissions for decades**, while innovation could transform steel into a **low-carbon, high-tech** industry. If we get this right, steel can remain the **backbone of modern civilization without costing the planet.** #### Dive Deeper - [[Steel MoC]] - [Medium Article](https://medium.com/entangle-quantum/quantum-x-climate-steelmaking-4b0971a98833)