Sustainability
EAF vs.
Blast Furnace
Steel Dynamics steel production is 100% EAF
We are one of a very small number of steel producers that exclusively use electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. We have always been, and continue to be, a leader in the production of sustainable, lower-carbon emission steel products.
We believe the single most impactful decision a steel consumer can make to support greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction is to understand the differences between EAF and basic oxygen (or blast furnace) steelmaking technologies and related supply-chain environmental impacts—and then, source their steel needs accordingly. EAF steelmaking technology generates a mere fraction of the carbon emissions produced, and energy intensity required, by traditional blast furnace steelmaking technology.
Blast Furnace
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)
Eaf technology
Fewer natural resources required drives lower emissions, energy, wastes, and water usage
Raw Materials
Steel is the most recycled material in the world.¹ Our EAF steel mills use recycled ferrous, or steel scrap, as the single-largest raw material input in the production of new finished steel products. In 2024, 82% of the raw materials used in our furnaces to produce steel at our EAF steel mills was recycled ferrous scrap and internally produced iron (in contrast to traditional blast furnace steelmaking, where the proportion of recycled ferrous scrap has been between 25% and 35%).
Eaf technology
Emissions
Using EAF steelmaking technology, we generate approximately a third of the GHG emissions per metric ton compared to those generated from global blast furnace steelmaking technology, which creates significant emissions through the conversion of iron ore, coke, and coal into steel.¹
Eaf technology
Our EAF operations energy intensity was 75% less than world steel averages¹
Energy
By connecting the casting and rolling processes in our flat roll mills, we roll slabs into steel coils while the steel is still hot, requiring significantly less energy than traditional blast furnace technology, which typically requires reheating slabs before rolling. Our steel mills require less than a quarter of the energy compared to global blast furnace steelmaking technology.¹
¹World Steel Association (WSA).