Green Hydrogen for Steel Decarbonization: A Comparative Review Between Asia and Brazil

Accounting for 70% of global output, Asian steel powerhouses—China, India, Japan, and South Korea—face an urgent imperative to decarbonize their heavily coal-reliant blast furnace infrastructure. This comparative review evaluates the integration of renewable energy sources for green hydrogen production across Asia, setting it against the unique competitive advantage of Brazil, where a renewable-dominant energy mix (>50%) positions the nation as an ideal global hub for sustainable steelmaking. Beyond green hydrogen, key transitional strategies include maximizing scrap utilization, adopting Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF), leveraging industrial by-product gases, and modernizing machinery. Ultimately, driving these critical technological shifts relies on strong public–private partnerships and international cooperation to reach net-zero emissions by 2060.