The challenge we face
The world faces enormous challenges in the 21st century: from climate change to increasing pressures on natural resources, from the lifestyle expectations of those in the developed world to tackling poverty at the base of the pyramid in emerging markets. These issues have a direct impact on businesses as well as governments, civil society, and individuals.
Businesses are expected to report more openly, act more responsibly, protect the environment, and support their local communities. All of these factors pose risks to companies as large as ours if we fail to manage them. But they also present us with enormous opportunities from the commercial potential of new greener products to the innovation potential of a new generation of people entering our industry.
Related news & technical articles
ArcelorMittal ranked at global leadership level on climate action
11 February 2021ArcelorMittal has once again been recognised by CDP for our strong performance in corporate transparency and action on climate change. ArcelorMittal has successfully retained our A- score in the 2020 CDP Climate Change assessment for the second consecutive year, putting our company within the top quartile of all metal smelting, refining, and forming companies and the top 10% of the steel industry.
Corporate NewsArcelorMittal Europe to produce ’green steel’ starting in 2020
15 October 2020ArcelorMittal Europe announces details of the CO2 technology strategy that will enable it to offer its first green steel solutions to customers this year (30 000 tonnes), scale up this offering in coming years (to reach 120 000 tonnes in 2021 and 600 000 tonnes by 2022), deliver its 30% CO2 emissions target by 2030, and achieve net zero by 2050.
Corporate NewsWind energy: steels for towers and turbines
13 October 2020With existing wind towers using up to 180 tonnes of heavy plate and hundreds of individual towers in a wind farm, the logistics of ensuring just-in-time deliveries of steel are critical for success. ArcelorMittal’s global footprint enables us to meet the needs of some of the leading players in this market – wherever they are located.
Product NewsSteel is the power behind renewable energy
Headlines throughout the world reveal that a global energy transition is underway. Oil and gas and electricity companies are announcing massive investments and strategic moves that embrace renewable energy.
Article
ArcelorMittal ranked at global leadership level on climate action
ArcelorMittal has once again been recognised by CDP for our strong performance in corporate transparency and action on climate change. ArcelorMittal has successfully retained our A- score in the 2020 CDP Climate Change assessment for the second consecutive year, putting our company within the top quartile of all metal smelting, refining, and forming companies and the top 10% of the steel industry.
A testament to contributions towards building a thriving economy
CDP, a not-for-profit charity that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions, scores thousands of companies that disclose climate data through its platform each year. By doing so, the competitive spirit of business to raise ambition and spur action on corporate climate action is harnessed for positive change.
ArcelorMittal’s A- grade is testament to our efforts and contributions towards building a thriving economy that works for people and the planet in the long term. The grade compares favourably to the global average D grade for metal smelting, refining, and forming companies and the C grade for the steel sector specifically. ArcelorMittal’s efforts are further reflected in the A grade scores achieved for governance, disclosure of climate related financial risk and opportunities, strategy and planning, and emissions reduction initiatives.
A commitment to becoming carbon neutral
In 2020, ArcelorMittal announced a group-wide commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, while targeting a reduction of 30% by 2030 in European business. ArcelorMittal recognises the important role of disclosing climate related financial risks and opportunities in achieving this goal, as well as developing our two low-emissions technology pathways: Smart Carbon and Innovative DRI.
Commenting, Brian Aranha, Executive Vice President and Head of Strategy, CTO, R&D, CCM, Global Automotive, Communications and Corporate Responsibility, ArcelorMittal, said: “Receiving an A- from CDP for the second consecutive year is testament to the significant efforts we are making to lead the industry’s efforts to decarbonise steelmaking. Having previously outlined our commitment to the objectives of the Paris agreement, earlier this year (2020) we set ourselves the target of being carbon neutral by 2050. To achieve this, we are developing a broad range of ground-breaking, low-emissions steelmaking technologies, with several industrial-scale projects across our European operations at an advanced stage. Our target is ambitious and will be challenging. Meeting it will require a supportive policy framework, but the progress with have made with our technologies provides us with confidence that we are on the right path.”
The full list of companies assessed, as well as other publicly available climate change scores, are available on CDP’s website.
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ArcelorMittal Europe to produce ’green steel’ starting in 2020
ArcelorMittal Europe announces details of the CO2 technology strategy that will enable it to offer its first green steel solutions to customers this year (30 000 tonnes), scale up this offering in coming years (to reach 120 000 tonnes in 2021 and 600 000 tonnes by 2022), deliver its 30% CO2 emissions target by 2030, and achieve net zero by 2050.
Click here to learn more: ArcelorMittal Europe to produce ’green steel’ starting in 2020
Wind energy: steels for towers and turbines
With existing wind towers using up to 180 tonnes of heavy plate and hundreds of individual towers in a wind farm, the logistics of ensuring just-in-time deliveries of steel are critical for success. ArcelorMittal’s global footprint enables us to meet the needs of some of the leading players in this market – wherever they are located.
Our solutions
Our heavy plate is used to construct both the tower and, in offshore installations, the jackets that keep the turbine stable on the sea floor. ArcelorMittal is also working with wind turbine developers to create the next generation of towers which are lighter and do not require welding.
We also supply non-oriented fully processed electrical steels for the medium and high-power generators which sit at the top of the wind tower. These steels possess all of the required magnetic properties to maximise the amount of energy each turbine can produce.
Offshore wind farms
Our steels for offshore structures offer improved workability and weldability and can be supplied thermomechanically rolled or normalised. They can be utilised in applications such as platforms and equipment for new fixed wind towers.
ArcelorMittal can conduct the following tests if required:
- Ultrasonic testing
- Reduced Carbon Equivalent (CEV) or Parameter Crack Measurement (PCM) values
- Transversal impact tests
- Improved deformation properties perpendicular to the surface of the product as per EN 10164 (Z test)
- Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) test
Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Images: ArcelorMittal, Majeczka/Shutterstock.com, Andrea Crisante Pedrosala/Shutterstock.com
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Steel Solutions Provider to the Global Wind Energy Industry
ArcelorMittal – the Leading Supplier of Steel Solutions for the Global Wind Energy Industry!
Steel is the power behind renewable energy
Headlines throughout the world reveal that a global energy transition is underway. Oil and gas and electricity companies are announcing massive investments and strategic moves that embrace renewable energy.
Steel: a key material in a less carbon-intensive world
Renewable energy, which includes solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and others, is at the centre of the transition to a less carbon-intensive society, which also puts steel at the centre of the conversation.
“Steel is required by each of these markets. Without steel, none of the renewable energy sources would be possible. Every renewable energy structure – a wind turbine, a solar panel - requires steel,” says Johannes De Schrijver, CEO of ArcelorMittal Projects.
An expansion of renewable power capacity
According to the International Energy Agency, renewable power capacity is set to expand by 50% between 2019 and 2024. This increase of 1200 GW is equivalent to the current total power capacity of the United States. Solar is expected to account for nearly 60% of the anticipated growth and onshore wind 25%.
Steel will play an important role in all renewables, including and especially solar and wind. Each new MW of solar power requires between 35 to 45 tons of steel, and each new MW of wind power requires 120 to 180 tons of steel.
The solar market
The solar market is divided into two areas. The first are smaller-scale rooftop panels mounted on homes, museums, and stadiums. The second is utility-scale projects, which are larger consumers of steel. These plants produce a standard 100 to 300 MW of energy while some in development are approaching 1000 MW.
Johannes De Schrijver notes: “These are basically small power plants, football fields full of solar panels. If you consider that each new MW requires 35 to 45 tons of steel, that’s a tremendous opportunity for us. This is an area that has our attention.”
Solar technologies
Solar power plants use three technologies, all of which use steel in the structure on which the PV modules or mirrors are attached:
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) – panels are mounted on a fixed or moving structure that allows the panel to be optimally oriented to the sun throughout the day; the moving structure is gaining ground on the fixed structure with tracker technology accounting for half of all PV structures by 2025.
- Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) - panels with lenses that focus the sun’s ray on a small cell with a much higher energy generation capacity.
- Concentrator Photovoltaics (CPV) - converts sunlight to electricity by PV cells made of semiconductor materials; usually the material is salt, which becomes liquid and generates steam to create electricity.
ArcelorMittal has been a key player in supplying steel to major solar projects around the world including the Beryl Solar Farm in Australia and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai as well as solar farms in Chile, Egypt, France, Israel, and the United States. The company is also finalising agreements with power-generating companies on solar plants using CSP or CPV technologies. One is the first of its kind that combines both Solar PV and CSP for a revolutionary capacity of 950 MW of energy.
Steel in the wind energy market
Steel is also a major contributor to wind energy, which can be grouped into three key markets:
- Onshore wind farms - relatively small and produce between 2 and 3 MW of power per turbine. A variety of steels is used for the structural tower itself, the house of the turbine, the turbine blades, plus electrical steels for electricity generation
- Offshore wind farms - much larger, with recent turbines producing 5 to 8 MW of energy. Offshore wind consumes more steel than onshore and is an area of interest among investors. Offshore has two advantages: the ability to go much higher with no obstructions and the free flow of wind. Offshore requires a combination of steels to support the huge foundations that are anchored to the sea bed. Steel is also found in the structural tower itself and the blades, which are much thicker and longer.
- New generation wind farms – these wind farms go the distance, literally. These farms will be built even further from shore, requiring a floating structure. Each turbine will produce 7 to 12 MW of energy.
ArcelorMittal: supplying steel to windfarms
ArcelorMittal has been a supplier of steel to some of the world’s largest windfarms, including:
- BorWin3, a 900 MW offshore wind grid connection in the German North Sea.
- East Anglia One, a 714 MW wind farm in the North Sea off the coast of England.
- Greater Changhua, a 2.4 GW wind farm in the Taiwan Strait.
ArcelorMittal Global R&D plays an important role in supporting this market through the development of new steel products and solutions:
- Magnelis®, a breakthrough corrosion resistant steel product, has enjoyed much success in the solar energy market. Magnelis® is the industry’s reference product for ground mounted structures and the product of choice in harsh outdoor and indoor environments.
- A-motion is a new steel solution for solar panels created by ArcelorMittal. A-Motion is a single-row, self-powered, and wireless solar tracker which features a wind-friendly design dimensioned to be safe in any position with no stow position required. With a limited number of components, a global supply chain with possibilities of local content and reduced O&M, the product answers the market’s needs.
“The future of steel in the energy transition is exciting,” says Johannes De Schrijver. “As the world’s largest steel producer with extensive downstream capabilities and fabrication and construction knowledge, we are in an excellent position to provide safe, sustainable steel for the future of energy.”
Text: ArcelorMittal
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Green ArcelorMittal
We are committed to leading the way in which the world views steel and championing steel’s role in creating high quality, sustainable lifestyles for people all over the world.
Leading the way with 10 sustainable development outcomes
Our new sustainable development framework focusses on 10 outcomes we need to achieve for steel to be one of the world's most sustainable materials. Pursuing these outcomes, a result of both analysis and consultation, allows us to be better prepared to respond to long-term trends and manage our stakeholders’ expectations more effectively.
Useful information
MoreEnvironmental impacts of our products
Our local communities and stakeholders trust us to share the vital resources of air, land, and water because we operate responsibly and transparently, and we have clearly improved our impact.
We understand these impacts and work collaboratively to protect and enhance the natural capital we and our communities and partners rely on.
Developing greener steel products
Commercial designers and manufacturers, as well as end-users, choose steel for products that need strength and durability. They make that choice because they understand steel contributes to more a sustainable lifestyle.
Therefore, we are continuously designing more energy-efficient products using materials that can be re-used and recycled and produced using fewer resources and without negative consequences for the environment or society.