Future Proofing Metals

Metals built the modern world.

From the bridges we cross to the phones in our hands, metals make our everyday life possible.

But producing them uses enormous amounts of energy, most of it from fossil fuels, and drives some of the highest industrial emissions on the planet.

CO2 icon 7-9%


   

global CO
    emissions come
    from steel alone


With demand rising and climate pressure intensifying, the metals industry is facing a crisis.

ABB is helping metals producers take action.

future-of-metals-sustainable

Why the future of metals must be more sustainable

The metals industry drives global progress, valued at over $4 trillion, with steel alone accounting for 35%. But the way we produce metals today is unsustainable. It consumes vast energy, relies heavily on fossil fuels, and contributes significantly to global emissions.

If we want clean air, stable climates, and a livable planet for future generations, we must transform how metals are made.

ABB is helping lead that transformation. 

For more than 100 years, ABB has helped guide the metals industry on the path to sustainability – without sacrificing profitability.

There is no one size-fits-all solution to carbon neutrality in manufacturing metals. At ABB, we work with customers to tailor solutions for individual needs.

By electrifying operations, automating processes, and using data to work smarter, we are building a more resilient and low-carbon future. This is how we protect the systems we all rely on. 

At ABB we are future-proofing metals so it can keep serving us without costing the planet.

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Did you know…

 

01

Electrifying metals processes using AC drives has led to a 15% reduction in energy consumption, lowering operating costs.

02

Digital solutions with machine learning thermal loss models can improve steelmaking productivity by up to 5%.

03

Industries could see up to 20% improvements in energy efficiency by transitioning to carbon neutral technologies.

What are industry experts saying?

baris-bekir-ciftci
Dr. Baris Bekir Ciftci, Director of Industry Analysis at Worldsteel

“There will be major focus on both materials and energy efficiency along the steel industry’s decarbonization journey. We expect to see major efficiency gains and circularity making significant progress along the whole steel value chain.”

rajesh-nair
Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK

“You can use automation to help improve efficiency in maintenance and material utilization. As you go down the value chain, every place automation can help us improve, bring about efficiency, and make sure that ultimately when we get down to the customer, we are able to deliver the right product at the right price and with the right value.”

helena-malmqvist
Helena Malmqvist, Research Manager at Jernkontoret

“If you start using smart sensors and big data analytics in combination with machine learning, you can advance both the production and the product quality and thereby reduce losses. We see a lot of work in this area right now.”

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Deep dives into innovation, strategy, and sustainability

Listen to the voices shaping the future of metals

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Global trends in metals

India
Germany
Sweden
China

Hydrogen to power 80% of production in India by 2050

India is aiming to decarbonize steelmaking through its National Green Hydrogen Mission, with plans to shift up to 30% of steel production to hydrogen-based methods by 2030, and up to 80% by 2050.

india-tata-steel-global-trends-updated

Germany expecting to cut emissions by 28 tonnes per tonne

Germany is preparing to phase out nearly all aging blast furnaces, with hydrogen-based steelmaking projected to cut emissions by 28 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of hydrogen used.

germany-steel-production-global-trends-updated

Sweden invests $4.5B to reduce CO₂ emission

Sweden has committed $4.5 billion to a fossil-free mini-mill project, expected to reduce the country’s total CO₂ emissions by 7%.

sweden-ssab-global-trends-updated

China targets 15% cut in crude steel

China has set a target to reduce crude steel production by 15%, as part of its broader strategy to curb industrial carbon emissions.

china-steel-production-global-trends
 
global-trends-in-local-language

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