Produção sustentável de aço no Brasil: o papel do aço verde na transição energética do setor siderúrgico

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the main technological alternatives for the decarbonization of the steel industry, with emphasis on green steel production routes and other sustainable technologies, as well as their application prospects in the Brazilian context. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted based on scientific articles, technical reports, and national and international institutional documents, covering both established processes and emerging technologies, such as Hydrogen Direct Reduced Iron (HDRI), Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE), Low-Temperature Electrolysis (LTE), hybrid routes using natural gas, steel scrap recycling, the use of charcoal, and private initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis was developed to compare the main technologies studied by evaluating their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the context of steel industry decarbonization. The results indicate that the HDRI route combined with the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) has a high potential for emissions mitigation, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 95% when powered by green hydrogen and renewable electricity, although it still faces challenges related to hydrogen costs and the availability of clean energy. Technologies such as MOE and LTE present even greater decarbonization potential; however, they remain at an early stage of development and still require validation on an industrial scale. For the Brazilian scenario, the adoption of hybrid routes based on natural gas and green hydrogen, combined with increased steel scrap recycling and the country's renewable electricity matrix, represents a viable strategy to decarbonize the national steel industry while maintaining its competitiveness in response to international environmental requirements. However, the successful implementation of this strategy depends on government policies capable of ensuring the competitiveness of Brazilian steel in the global market