Steel Structures to Meet Net-Zero Goals?

Steel structure is a robust and ductile assembly of steel components, which are interconnected to withstand heavy load and offer rigidity. These structures exhibit high strength-to-weight ratio, which makes them ideal for use in structures and buildings that require superior load bearing capacity such as high-rise buildings, bridges, and industrial facilities. In addition, they offer a wide range of benefits like high tensile strength, notable ductility, as well as resistance to harsh weather conditions and corrosion, making them suitable for buildings that bear high levels of stress like skyscrapers and in earthquake-prone areas. Moreover, steel can be prefabricated into different shapes and sizes offsite, which reduces the construction cost and time. Thus, as compared to other structures like timber structures and concrete structures, steel is more reliable and requires less raw materials. Common types of steel structures include steel frame structures, light gauge steel structures, steel arch structures, steel truss structures, steel cable structures, steel space frame structures, and pre-engineered structures. 

Steel Structures Promoting Sustainable Construction 

Increase in construction activities and alarming rise in greenhouse gas emissions from the construction industry have significantly boosted the demand for steel structures in construction. This is attributed to the fact that structural steel consists of 93% recycled content and is 100% recyclable. As per Allied Market Research, the global steel structure market is estimated to garner a revenue of $169.7 billion by 2032 from $118.9 billion in 2023, registering a CAGR of 4.1% from 2024 to 2032. This revenue growth is further driven by exponential increase in global population, which is further augmenting the need for transportation, housing, and public amenities. As a result, with increasing environmental concerns, the adoption of green construction practices is rising simultaneously.  

Findings published in “Net-zero steel in building and construction: The way forward” revealed that the construction industry produces approximately 25% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, one-third of these emissions are generated from materials used in the construction processes. The study further revealed that more than 50% of the steel is consumed by the construction industry globally. As per the Paris Agreement on climate change, governments have implemented stringent regulations to mitigate global warming below 20°C to 1.5°C. To achieve this goal, greenhouse gas emissions must reach net-zero by 2050. All these factors collectively have fostered the demand for steel, as 70% of all the steel produced to date is still in use, claims Stena Recycling, one of Europe's leading recycling companies. In addition, steel can be infinitely recycled without losing any of its properties in a completely electric process, which results in few emissions. This makes it a highly sustainable material for the construction industry, which significantly contributes to circular economy initiatives and carbon footprint reduction. 

Decarbonization of Steel Structures 

Although steel is 100% recyclable, the major reason for construction industry’s high emissions is the insatiable use of steel. Studies assert that steel is emerging as a mega producer of carbon due to high amount of energy required for its production, accounting for one-fourth of the emissions in the construction processes. Thus, manufacturers are focusing on production of green steel, which is said to reduce embodied carbon emissions in commercial buildings by 70% by 2030. Manufacturers are also taking efforts to decarbonize steel, which can be achieved by using advanced furnace technologies. The most efficient furnace technologies to produce steel are powered by natural gas using energy-efficient direct reduced iron or hot briquetted iron. This process emits lower greenhouse gases as compared to conventional basic oxygen furnaces or coke-fueled blast furnaces. The ideal route to decarbonize iron is to use hydrogen to produce direct reduced iron or hot briquetted iron in electric arc furnaces that run on renewable energy. This process will enable the production of steel with a carbon intensity of less than 0.2 tCO2 per metric ton as compared with a global average of 1.8 tCO2.  

International Finance Corporation Endorses Decarbonization of Indonesia’s Steel Sector 

On September 6, 2024, International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, announced to invest in PT Gunung Raja Paksi Tbk (GRP), a leading Indonesian steel producer. The aim of the investment was to support Indonesia’s climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boost low-carbon steel production. The International Finance Corporation provided around $60 million to produce low-carbon flat steel by using electric arc furnace technology. The funding will further support GRP to manufacture high-quality steel with significantly lower emissions, mitigating emissions by more than 50% as compared to global average for steel production. In addition, the project is expected to cater to growing steel demand of Indonesia and lower its dependence on high-carbon steel imports. As a result, with global steel demand estimated to surpass two billion tons by 2040, this initiative will aid in substantially reducing the carbon footprint of the steel industry.  

Closing Note 

Multiple benefits associated with steel structure such as high strength and superior ductility have made it a suitable construction material in high-rise buildings and earthquake-prone areas. Though steel is completely recyclable, its massive use in the construction industry results in significant carbon emissions, boosting the need for greener production methods. Thus, manufacturers are focusing on developing green steel and decarbonization of steel to meet net-zero goals by 2050.  

✍ **𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓: Akshata Tiwarkhede 

Akshata Tiwarkhede is an experienced content editor with nearly 10 years in the field. Recently, she has expanded her expertise into business writing, applying her editorial skills to create clear, precise, and professional content. With a keen eye for detail and commitment to quality, she continues to refine and develop content that aligns with industry standards.