Overview
The Green Iron and Steel project adopts a systems-based methodology to investigate the potential of recycled feedstocks in decarbonising Australian iron and steel production. It integrates sector analysis, resource mapping, and environmental assessment to provide a clear understanding of how secondary resources can be incorporated into existing iron and steelmaking processes.
Why?
Iron and steel production is one of the most carbon-intensive industrial activities and remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. While emerging technologies such as renewable hydrogen offer long-term decarbonisation potential, they face challenges related to cost, infrastructure and availability in the near term.
Australia has abundant secondary resources, including waste plastics, polymers, floc and scrap metal, that are currently underutilised and often sent to landfill. These materials contain valuable carbon, hydrogen and iron that could be used in steelmaking processes.
This project addresses the opportunity to use recycled feedstocks as a practical, near-term pathway to reduce emissions, lower material costs and divert waste from landfill.
Who?
Project leads:
- Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO, UNSW Sydney
- Dr Samane Marouffi, UNSW Sydney
What?
The project will run in 2026 and includes:
- Assessment of recycled feedstocks, including waste polymers, floc and scrap metal, as well as their availability and supply chains
- Evaluation of how recycled materials can be integrated into existing iron and steelmaking pathways
- Workshops with stakeholders and experts to share project findings, gather insight and ensure the research reflects industry needs
- Development of a final report outlining practical decarbonisation pathways for green iron and steel production
- Preparation of communication materials, including presentations and visual outputs, to support knowledge sharing and uptake.
What’s next?
- Engagement with industry and government stakeholders through workshops and consultations.
- Investigation of the current and emerging technologies in Australian iron and steelmaking.
- Focus on gathering data on the availability, quality, and characteristics of different categories of recycled feedstocks, including waste polymers (rubber and plastic) coming from different sources and floc and scrap metal.
