Task 52 was established by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as a cross-cutting collaborative initiative bringing together several active Tasks within the Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme (Hydrogen TCP), an autonomous research, development and demonstration programme operating within the IEA framework.

The Task provides an international platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration aimed at advancing the understanding of hydrogen-enabled pathways for the decarbonisation of the steel industry. Today, the IEA Hydrogen TCP Task 52 global expert network brings together more than 100 experts from over 20 countries, creating a valuable forum for connecting technological development, industrial implementation, market perspectives and enabling policies.

Filippo Cirilli had the opportunity to attend Task 52 meeting, hosted by the University of Oxford. The discussion provided valuable insights into some of the key technological, market and financial challenges shaping the future of green steel:

• DRI-based steelmaking is expected to play an increasingly important role in the coming years, particularly through DRI-EAF and DRI-ESF configurations. The use of an Electric Smelting Furnace (ESF) could broaden the range of iron ore feedstocks suitable for low-carbon steel production, including lower-grade pellets. At the same time, defining the optimal pellet quality range for EAF and ESF-based routes remains an important area of research and technological development.

• The automotive sector and data centres are emerging as promising off-takers for green steel. For the automotive industry in particular, however, the additional cost associated with green steel remains a critical factor. Available financial analyses indicate a potential increase in vehicle cost in the range of 1–3% when green steel is used. Although this percentage may appear limited, it can become significant when compared with automotive profit margins. Moreover, a comprehensive assessment should also consider the cumulative impact of introducing other low-carbon materials, including green aluminium and plastics.

• Bridging the cost gap between conventional and green products will require a combination of financial, economic and policy instruments. Measures such as Green Public Procurement, public subsidies and green financing can contribute to supporting market uptake. The optimal combination of these instruments continues to evolve, but financial support remains a key enabling factor during the transition towards commercially competitive green steel.

 

At RINA, we are strongly committed to supporting industrial decarbonisation and the hydrogen transition across the entire value chain.

Our HYDRA open experimental platform, including pilot-scale facilities dedicated to Direct Reduction and Electric Arc Furnace technologies, supports the development, testing and validation of innovative solutions for green steel production, contributing to the transition towards more sustainable steelmaking in Europe and internationally.

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