Steel produced from 100 percent LKAB pellets results in a 14 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to steel produced at an average sinter-based European steelworks.
LKAB's products offer a cleaner value chain for steel production. Energy consumption and, as a result, emissions of carbon dioxide from the manufacture of our pellets are among the lowest in the iron ore sector. The use of our pellets in steel production therefore reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to crude iron production in sinter-based processes.
Ore deposits contain various types of iron ore. The ore types are characterised by their iron oxide content, usually as either magnetite or haematite. Magnetite, Fe3O4, is magnetic, whereas haematite, Fe2O3, is not. LKAB's ore consists primarily of magnetite. The advantage of this is that magnetite does not require as great an external energy supply during concentration and pellet production compared to haematite. As a result, magnetite does not produce the same amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels in the pelletisation process, for example. LKAB has one of the world's most energy-efficient pelletising plants, which consequently produces the lowest carbon dioxide emissions.
The use of pellets instead of sinter in our customers' crude iron processes further reduces emissions, as sintering is not required at the steelworks. The raw material from LKAB is already prepared for use in the blast furnace. The high concentration of iron in LKAB's pellets also results in reduced emissions during iron production by our customers. In total, steel production using only LKAB pellets entails a 14% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions viewed over the entire value chain. This comparison is in relation to steel production at certain European steelworks that tend to use a mixture of pellets and sinter.
In order to calculate this potential for reduced carbon dioxide emissions, we have considered the value chain from pelletising or sintering plant to steelworks. This includes the consumption of lime and coke, as well as emissions that arise during the production of lime and coke, sinter and pellets.
In absolute figures, LKAB's pellets make it possible to reduce emissions totalling five million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year in the value chain. Click on this link for a more detailed description of how this calculation is performed: LKAB value chain comparison methodological annex.
In addition to this comparison, we are proud to be able to present a verified calculation of the carbon footprint from our pellet products. The verification certificate can be seen here.