Carbon coke in steel production
A significant part of the environmental impact of the steel industry comes from the use of carbon coke, which is used in large quantities, especially in blast furnaces. In recent years, several projects have explored sustainable alternatives to traditional materials: GreenEAF has introduced the use of biomass-derived coals, while Polynspire and Retrofeed have focused on non-recyclable plastics and rubbers, as well as new types of biomass coals. Today, with the CROSSCUT project, the goal is to experiment with the total replacement of coke in steel production.
SCCs and the project objective
CROSSCUT studies the use of SCCs (Secondary Carbon Carriers), materials that can replace fossil coal in steelmaking processes. These include biomass, biochar, recycled rubber, and polymers. Unlike previous projects, which focused on a single material, CROSSCUT focuses on flexible mixtures of SCCs, because each material has specific advantages and limitations. These substitutes are tested in different types of plants: in electric arc furnaces at the Pittini Group’s facilities, but also in blast furnaces and in the production of ferrous alloys. The result is a concrete reduction in coke use and emissions, together with a strong boost to the circular economy, making use of materials that would otherwise go to waste.
