The Zero-Carbon Manufacturing of Iron will Impact Climate Change Actions

Dr Chris Bumby and his team from Victoria University of Wellington won the top innovation award for their discovery of zero-carbon iron production at the HERA Future Forum Nation event.

HERA stands for Heavy Engineering Research Association, the organisation that runs the metal-based industry in New Zealand.

Dr. Bumby and his team’s research has produced positive results in the hydrogen reduction of iron ore. The article states that their team has developed a zero-carbon method for producing iron that works “especially well” with New Zealand’s ironsand.

Zero-carbon iron production wins top innovation award

The article on Spinoff details how the team processes iron and steel in a zero-carbon manner by utilising hydrogen, and how this technology leverages renewable energy to make the entire process genuinely zero-carbon.

The laboratory produces zero-carbon iron, but the company plans to expand its operations to meet the increasing demand for steel.

How to reduce the carbon cost of building our world with steel

Is producing zero-carbon steel possible at a scale, and if it is, how can it be done?

The article “The winding road toward zero-carbon iron” explains how.

Steel production remains one of the most energy-intensive industries and the largest emitter of CO2, comparable to cement production.

Imagine the environmental benefits and impacts of climate change when carbon and fossil fuels are finally removed from the equation in iron and steel manufacturing.

The articles mentioned demonstrate that zero-carbon steel production is feasible, although it presents challenges.

It is up to big companies and governments to conduct further research and weather these challenges in accordance with climate adaptation and mitigation goals.