Hydrogen Pathways for the European Steel Industry
aMulti-Level Perspective
A. Ayadi (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
L.M. Kamp – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Energy and Industry)
G.O. Ndubuisi – Mentor (TU Delft - Economics of Technology and Innovation)
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Abstract
Decarbonizing the European steel industry has become an urgent priority within the framework of EU climate targets and the broader global energy transition. While green hydrogen offers a promising route to abate emissions in this hard-to-abate sector, its integration faces complex socio-technical challenges. This work aims to analyze these dynamics by applying the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) to identify the drivers and barriers shaping the adoption of hydrogen in steelmaking. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a semi-systematic literature review and expert interviews with the development of a novel Comparative Pathway Alignment Matrix (CPAM). This assessment reveals that while radical hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (H2-DRI) with Electric Arc Furnaces offers the highest potential for CO2 reduction (90–95%), it is currently constrained by significant infrastructure and economic hurdles. Consequently, this study identifies flexible H2-DRI systems as the most likely near-term pathway, as they allow for modular implementation that aligns with existing reinvestment cycles. The results highlight that a phased transition, supported by targeted risk-sharing policies and infrastructure development, is essential to reconcile deep decarbonization goals with the structural realities of the steel regime.