Construction accounts for roughly 50% of global steel demand, making it the sector where steel usage decisions have the biggest impact on industry-wide emissions. Yet many projects still leave significant decarbonization potential untapped.
In the latest Green Steel Challenge podcast, Olivier Vassart of ArcelorMittal Steligence discusses how engaging architects, engineers, and developers early in the design phase unlocks measurable carbon reductions. By perfecting steel grades and optimizing structural efficiency, projects become lighter and faster to build while cutting material costs. One flagship project achieved a 38% reduction in embedded carbon—proving that efficient design isn’t a trade-off between sustainability and economics.
Fero Labs’ Berk Birand reveals the practical path to efficiency gains and emissions cuts on The Green Steel Challenge
Here’s a question every steel plant operator is grappling with: Can we actually improve production efficiency across the facility while simultaneously managing input costs AND carbon emissions costs?
Well Yes, you can—and it’s not science fiction.
Berk Birand, CEO of Fero Labs, breaks down exactly how AI is making this possible in the latest episode of The Green Steel Challenge podcast (released on Tuesday). Berk gets into the real-world mechanics of how machine learning models are helping plants make incremental, regular improvements that actually move the needle on both efficiency and emissions.
For engineers tired of choosing between production targets and sustainability goals, this episode is a must-listen. For salespeople looking to understand where the industry is heading and what plant managers actually care about right now, this gives you the inside track.
What’s Next?
The Green Steel Challenge series, produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities, continues its deep dive into practical decarbonization strategies. Mark your calendar for November 18th when Olivier Vassart, CEO of ArcelorMittal Steligence, takes the hot seat to share his insights on delivering Green Steel solutions.
Because let’s face it—the future of steel isn’t just about going green. It’s about going green while staying competitive.
The latest superb guest on The Green Steel Challenge podcast is Sebastian Langendorf, CEO of Meranti Green Steel. Sebastian explains in detail Meranti Green Steel’s new decarbonized iron and steelmaking projects in Oman and Thailand and where they will expand once investment Phase 1 is complete.
The Green Steel Challenge podcasts are produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities and the discussion is all about how exactly we can deliver Green Steel. The next guest will be Berk Birand, CEO of Fero Labs, viewable on November 4th.
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 73.5 million metric tonnes in September, 4.6% lower than in September, 2024. Chinese production in the first nine months of 2025 was 3.4% lower than in the same period last year.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) in September, 2025 at 9.9 million tonnes, 3.3% higher than in September, 2024. Net finished steel exports in the first nine months of 2025 were 10.2% higher than in the first nine months of 2024.
China monthly crude steel production
Thousand metric tonnes
China National Highway 312 construction site (20240924) by Fumikas Sagisavas, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
China produced 73.5 million tonnes in September, accounting for 52% of world output and declining 4.6% compared to September, 2024. World crude steel production outside of China rose 1.8% on last September, with increases in India (+13.2%) and the US (+6.7%) offset by declines in Japan (-3.7%) and Russia (estimated -3.8%).
Crude steel production in the first nine months of 2025 was 1.2% lower than in the same period last year.
In its latest Short Range Outlook (SRO) published October 13th, Worldsteel expects world steel demand in 2025 to reach 1,749 million tonnes. The new forecast lowers estimated demand growth between 2024 and 2025 from 1.2% in its Otober, 2024 SRO to -0% in the newly released figures. World steel demand is expected to grow by another 1.3% in 2026.
China, which accounts for 49% of world steel demand, is expected to have 2.0% lower steel demand in 2025 and 1.0% lower steel demand in 2026. Steel demand outside China is expected to rise by 0% in 2025 and by 1.3% in 2026, driven notably by demand growth in India (+8.9% in 2025 and +9.1% in 2026).
Continuous casting machine at Novolipetsk (NLMK Group) from Worldsteel Image Library
