Sweden is leading efforts to decarbonize the steel industry with the construction of industrial-scale plants that use hydrogen from renewable energy to produce near-zero-emission steel. Traditional steelmaking methods, reliant on coal, generate significant carbon emissions, while newer natural gas-based methods still produce substantial pollution. Swedish startup Stegra, formerly H2 Green Steel, has raised nearly $7 billion to build a plant in Boden using green hydrogen produced via electrolysis powered by wind and hydropower, targeting production by 2026. Similar projects, like Hybrit in Sweden and Boston Metal in the U.S., are exploring alternative green steelmaking technologies, though some face delays and challenges. While Stegra's planned annual output of 4.5 million metric tons is modest compared to global production, it demonstrates the potential for cleaner steelmaking and the willingness of customers to pay for environmentally friendly products. Continue here.
