Jan. 16, 2006 — The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and its members have developed a new Roadmap toward the dramatic reduction of energy use in steelmaking.

Entitled, “Saving One Barrel of Oil per Ton – A New Roadmap for Transformation of the Steelmaking Process,” or SOBOT, the Roadmap describes a long-term strategy designed to reduce energy intensity in steel production by identifying research pathways in energy substitution, energy recovery and energy savings. This Roadmap will guide research and development over the next 10 to 15 years toward the 2025 target of producing steel using approximately one barrel of oil (approximately six million BTU) per ton less than today’s processes.

“Energy savings of this type cannot be made by incremental changes, although they are often important enabling technologies,” Lawrence W. Kavanagh, AISI’s Vice President of Manufacturing and Technology said. “It will require radical approaches to future steelmaking processes to achieve the reductions in energy use contemplated by SOBOT.”

Energy use per ton of steel shipped has been reduced by 23% since 1990, as previously reported by AISI, and steelmakers’ efforts continue to drive energy consumption closer to the limits of today’s processes. However, energy still represents 20% of the cost of making steel. “Although our energy efficiency since 1990 has outperformed Kyoto, we must do more,” says Andrew G. Sharkey III, President and CEO of AISI. “SOBOT’s goal will keep us firmly focused on a sustainable future.”

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology.