The journey towards decarbonization and circular production, an initiative by Zeremis.
Circular Economy is an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of available resources. The Circular Economy is an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing the use of resources. This restorative approach contrasts with the traditional linear economy model, which follows the “take, make, dispose” production model. In this perspective, the consumption of input resources, output waste, and energy loss are minimized by closing or shrinking material and energy loops through design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. It is minimized.
The steel industry is at a critical juncture in its journey toward a sustainable future. As a key material in modern society, steel is essential for infrastructure, transportation, and daily life, yet its traditional production methods contribute significantly to global carbon dioxide emissions. In this enlightening conversation, we explore the strategies and innovations at Tata Steel Netherlands with Mr. Sander Heijnhuis, Marketing Director. Mr. Heijnhuis provides an insightful overview of the pioneering approaches in sustainable steel production, the implementation of data-driven advanced processes, and the necessary collaborative efforts to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Through the Zeremis initiative and the development of advanced technologies, Tata Steel Netherlands is not only committed to decarbonizing its operations but is also helping its customers and partners reduce their carbon footprint.
Green steel has been a topic of discussion for some time, but its definition remains complex and often challenging. However, one fundamental fact is clear: steel is essential for our lifestyle, transportation, and work. Mr. Heijnhuis highlighted this point at the beginning of this insightful conversation.
“Steel, as a material, is inherently sustainable, but its production is not yet sustainable. In the past, customers valued steel for its mechanical properties, strength, and quality. Now, to differentiate sustainably produced steel, we need a clear definition. Green steel does not differ in mechanics, chemistry, or strength from traditional steel, but it is distinguished by its social and sustainability aspects. We need to make this clear.”
In addition, decarbonizing the steel industry contributes to the decarbonization of many other industries, including construction, automotive, energy, manufacturing, and transportation. By greening the steel industry, we help reduce carbon emissions significantly across these interconnected sectors.
Steel is in a unique position to achieve these sustainability goals. Mr. Heijnhuis emphasized that carbon dioxide emissions are not inherently part of the ironmaking and steelmaking process. He explained: “Currently, we rely on coal, which results in carbon dioxide emissions, but there are methods to produce iron from iron ore without emitting carbon dioxide. This is different from cement production, where carbon dioxide is inherently produced. In steel production, we can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. While reaching zero emissions may be challenging, we can significantly reduce emissions.”
Steel is in a unique position to achieve these sustainability goals. Mr. Heijnhuis emphasized that carbon dioxide emissions are not inherently part of the ironmaking and steelmaking process. He explained: “Currently, we rely on coal, which results in carbon dioxide emissions, but there are methods to produce iron from iron ore without emitting carbon dioxide. This is different from cement production, where carbon dioxide is inherently produced. In steel production, we can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. While reaching zero emissions may be challenging, we can significantly reduce emissions.”
The chosen technology has distinctive elements. Mr. Heijnhuis explained: “We will continue to use a combination of ore and scrap in our steelmaking process, which allows us to produce clean, high-performance steel. Our strong secondary steelmaking processes, combined with ore and scrap-based methods, enable us to sustainably produce advanced green steel.”
In addition, Tata Steel’s sustainability agenda extends beyond the liquid steel production processes. Mr. Heijnhuis referred to strategies for reducing emissions in processes such as rolling and coating. He explained: “While the largest impact is in liquid steel production, we also have decarbonization strategies for processes like annealing and coating.”
Zeremis solutions
“Collaboration with customers, partners, and markets is crucial. That’s why we envisioned Zeremis as a journey – a journey towards zero carbon emissions and a circular world,” Mr. Heinheuis said during the discussion about Zeremis.
Zeremis® is at the heart of Tata Steel’s commitment to decarbonization by 2045. Achieving this ambitious goal requires a multi-stage process, with each phase of the transition requiring unique solutions. While Tata Steel Netherlands is on a promising path to meet its 2030 and 2045 targets, the company has also considered the need for immediate action. Zeremis will introduce customized solutions at each stage of this transition. Currently, only a small amount of green steel is available in the market, as the shift to DRI and other sustainable steel production methods is time-consuming.
Mr. Heinhuis referred to the holistic approach of Zeremis: “Zeremis goes beyond a simple business proposition; it is a collaborative approach within the value chain that invites customers and partners to join the journey towards a circular and carbon-free world. This journey includes several pillars for decarbonizing the entire steelmaking process – from producing liquid iron from ore to casting, rolling, coating, and final processing of steel at Tata Steel Netherlands. Furthermore, Zeremis addresses the carbon-free transportation of steel products to customers and is committed to increasing circularity by enhancing recycled content to ensure the value of waste is preserved within the value chain.”
Zeremis offers a range of solutions that evolve over time to meet the needs of the value chain at each stage of the transition. Currently, three business solutions are available within Zeremis: Zeremis Carbon Lite, Zeremis Delivered, and Zeremis Recycled. These solutions enable customers to take responsibility and take action now, although they will differ from the existing solutions by 2030, when significant changes such as the decommissioning of the first blast furnace will be implemented.
, Zeremis Carbon Lite helps customers reduce their scope 3 carbon emissions through a mass balance approach, which allocates carbon reduction projects within Tata Steel’s production process to specific customer orders. This allows customers to achieve their immediate emissions reduction goals. Mr. Heijnhuis emphasized, “Zeremis Carbon Lite is a flexible solution that allows our customers to choose the CO2e intensity reduction they require. These CO2e savings can be reported as a reduction in the company’s scope 3 emissions.” This solution has been verified by DNV, an independent assurance specialist, further validating its value. Companies like Waelzholz Group and Stahlo Stahl Service have trusted Tata Steel to supply Carbon Lite through signed agreements. After the launch of the new steel production route at the IJmuiden steelworks… , the plan is to transition supply to the carbon-reduced steel embodied by Zeremis.
While Zeremis Delivered is similar to Carbon Lite, its focus is on decarbonizing outbound transportation, specifically targeting emissions from transportation. This solution is based on a declaration using HVO 100 fuel instead of regular diesel to fuel trucks, offering a 90% reduction in CO2e intensity. “Both Carbon Lite and Delivered allow us to implement carbon savings in our production and transportation systems, which in turn creates a business case for further direct carbon reduction actions.”
Zeremis Recycled, the latest addition to the Zeremis portfolio, was launched in June 2024. In this regard, Mr. Heinhuijs stated: “Zeremis Recycled promotes circularity by increasing the use of scrap and allocating it to customer orders. This helps customers claim higher recycled content, especially for advanced steels. The goal is to preserve the value of waste by returning it as advanced steel, ensuring that high-value scrap is not just melted down again but used in the production of new, high-performance products.”
He concluded by saying, “The high recyclability of steel is well-known, but our focus is on preserving the inherent value of waste and returning it as advanced steel. Zeremis Recycled embodies this principle and aligns with our role as an advanced bar steel producer.”
“Understanding materials”
When asked about Tata Steel Netherlands’ Data Driven Steel initiative and its role in sustainability goals, Mr. Heijnhuis referred to the adaptability of steel. He said, “Steel is highly adaptable because of its ability to finely adjust its properties through alloys, rolling, and heat cycles to meet specific processing conditions and application needs. This adaptability is a strength, but it also requires a deep understanding of how to achieve these specific properties. This is where data and data models become crucial in steel production.”
He explained the role of data in optimizing steel production processes: “We extensively use data to understand and control our process conditions, which allows us to produce advanced steels for demanding applications. As we transition to new steelmaking technologies such as electric arc furnaces and related secondary steelmaking processes, the importance of data increases.”
In conclusion, he emphasized the importance of data in their operations: “The more we understand materials through data, the stronger our modeling and control capabilities become. This improves our product development and allows us to produce advanced grades of steel more efficiently and sustainably. Tracking materials across the steel value chain also makes large changes in carbon footprint more visible.”
At the end of the conversation, Mr. Heijnhuis emphasized the critical importance of collaboration: “Collaboration across the value chain is crucial because carbon footprints accumulate throughout the entire chain. For example, as a material producer, we have significant Scope 1 and 2 emissions, while our customers mainly face Scope 3 emissions. This is true across various industries, from construction and automotive to packaging and mechanical engineering. Brand owners and end consumers in these industries can only achieve their sustainability goals if they address their Scope 3 emissions. Since those at the end of the value chain are more impacted by Scope 3 emissions, our role as a material producer is vital. We have the responsibility and capability to reduce emissions. That’s why collaboration is so essential.”
The multi-stage and long-term nature of Tata Steel Netherlands’ complex sustainability transition underscores Mr. Heinwijs’ emphasis on their deep commitment to not only greening their operations but also advancing the broader sustainability agenda.
Innovation in Packaging
Tata Steel Netherlands’ involvement in the packaging industry may not be as well-known as their contributions to the automotive sector, but it is an important part of their sustainability strategy. The company’s Protact® packaging steel, a tin-free, polymer-coated alternative to traditional lacquered steels, reduces volatile organic compounds and eliminates the need for the use of scarce tin resources, thereby supporting the production of more sustainable cans. This innovation not only improves the durability and sustainability of packaging, but also demonstrates Tata Steel Netherlands’ commitment to improving the environmental impact of everyday products.
Steel World Review
