At the 2025 International Iron Ore & Green Steel Summit in Barcelona, attention turned to the often-overlooked role of electric arc furnace (EAF) mills in Europe’s decarbonization journey. While blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) operations have been the primary focus due to their higher emissions, EAF producers—who rely on scrap and direct reduced iron—are increasingly central to the green transition.
Currently, EAFs account for about 45% of European steel production, a share expected to rise to 57% as the EU pushes toward net-zero emissions by 2050. However, defining “green long steel” remains a moving target. Emissions thresholds are tightening: what was considered green at 500 kg CO₂ per tonne of steel six months ago is now closer to 400 kg—and may soon drop below 300.
Producers like Celsa Group are adapting by improving energy sourcing and refining Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). As Europe’s power grids become greener, EAF mills are shaving off emissions with each incremental improvement in electricity mix.
