From Green Industry to Green Steel
There is no doubt that the green steel approach will shape the future of the steel industry worldwide. This environmental movement began in Europe and, over time and inevitably, will spread to other parts of the world. Although Donald Trump, on the first day of his second presidential term, closed the chapter on global environmental protection in the U.S. and denied the evidence of global warming in the world’s largest industrial country, these facts are undeniable. Scientists have demonstrated the dangers of harmful gas emissions with solid data and numbers. In the current situation, some other countries might follow the same path as the U.S. and abandon environmental approaches. This raises the question: Could the efforts made to produce green steel be halted, and will the world continue with traditional production methods?
In the coming weeks and months, it will become clear how long the global movement to combat global warming can endure and survive. It must be noted that the polluted air, for example, resulting from shale oil extraction in the U.S., primarily affects the people of that country. In other countries, air pollution caused by outdated production methods will, above all, endanger the very people of those countries. Therefore, it seems the global warming resistance movement will not be stopped — not only because of global reasons such as rising sea levels and melting polar ice, but also for local reasons.
Now, Iran’s critical and challenging steel industry has reached a stage of production growth where it can not only meet domestic needs but also export part of its output. This has been a long-standing dream of Iranians — one that we yearned for many years. Currently, the nominal steel production of the country exceeds domestic demand, and despite imbalances in electricity and gas supply, Iran has managed to secure the possibility of exporting this key product. However, some steel products that require advanced technologies and significant investments are still out of reach, and efforts must be made to overcome this shortcoming. Furthermore, there is still an imbalance in the export-import equation of finished steel products.
Nevertheless, this situation is something to be happy about, and the steel industry producers who have turned this dream of Iranians into reality deserve our appreciation. If these producers are earning profits, we should be pleased, because based on their track record, it is highly likely that they will reinvest their profits in the industry’s development — delivering multiplied benefits for the national economy. The path of national growth and development lies through the efforts of this group of domestic investors.
Considering the recent advancements in Iran’s steel industry, it has become not only a solid pillar for domestic development but has also secured a place in the international arena. These achievements are owed to the relentless efforts of entrepreneurs, managers, and employees who, despite numerous challenges, have consistently committed to quality improvement and increased production. Those who have started from scratch in managing industries naturally value their skilled and trained workforce. They know well that whatever progress has been made is due to the relentless, round-the-clock efforts and hardships of their employees. Unlike the trade sector, which employs fewer people, manufacturing involves products passing through the hands of thousands of workers and staff. The enthusiasm and hope of this vast group are vitally important.
In recent years, due to energy shortages, the industry sector has faced many problems. At the same time, we are witnessing a continuous rise in living costs and growing hardships for the workforce active in these industries. These conditions have severely constrained work in the sector. The primary concern is maintaining the current status, and thoughts of growth and development have been postponed. Progress in the direction of growth and development is an absolute principle in economics. In a world of fierce competition, any institution unable to grow is at great risk of decline. The industry faces major challenges in staying green. Green industry and green steel are two sides of the same coin.
