Valentin Vogl

steel industry analyst at / based in Vienna / PhD thesis 'Steel Beyond Coal' / born at 358 ppm / he/they

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

This Friday I'm defending my PhD thesis 'Steel Beyond Coal'.

With nearly 6 years of research on steel decarbonisation coming to an end, here comes a very long 🧵about steel, coal and what we can do radically reduce carbon emissions in line with a just transformation.

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

ARIA is looking for an investigative researcher for our steel team. We are looking for someone with strong research and analysis skills, and experience in campaigning, journalism or investigative research.

https://t.co/vme5nFml6Q

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

@melpichler @BOKU_SEC @BOKUvienna Congrats! :)

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

@JPTilsted @KarlHolmberg91 @FBauer_LU @stripple timely!

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

Good news everyone: The Cumbria coal mine project has been blocked by the High Court. Very likely the end to new metallurgical coal extraction projects in the UK, a huge sign to the world

[Helena Horton @horton_official]

BREAKING: High court blocks Cumbria plan for first new UK coalmine in 30 years

https://t.co/MEbD3YyTfy

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

everything you need to know about petchems and climate in a once in a lifetime thread by the wonderful @JPTilsted

[Matthew McFeeley @McFeeleyM]

Today begins a 3-day court hearing over a large new coal mine in Cumbria. The Government has conceded that the grant of permission was unlawful but the mining company continues to defend the claim. We represent @slacctt ; Read SLACC's grounds of claim here https://t.co/wkgtUUBG51

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

The Uk‘s new Labour gov has just dropped the Cumbria Coal Mine. Looks like its fate might be handed back to them next week, when they have the chance to end the job on phasing out coal in the UK

https://t.co/7OmAHodRpi

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

Good news that China seems to be building more electricity-based steelmaking technology. Unfortunately, the country still handed out permits the scale of the entire Austrian steel industry in the form of coal-guzzling blast furnace technology in the first half of this year

[Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta]

This is big: it seems China stopped permitting new coal-based steel mills in the first half of 2024!

Steel is the second-largest emitter in China after electricity, due to the industry's vast size and heavy reliance on coal.

In recent years, China has been permitting hundreds of millions of tonnes of new coal-based steel capacity. While these have been "replacement" projects, i.e. an equal or slightly larger amount of old capacity has to be closed, this continued investment has extended the sector's reliance on coal.

The potential to reduce emissions from steelmaking over the  next decade is probably larger than from any other sector. As the construction sector shrinks, steel demand plateaus or falls, and the availability of scrap steel increases rapidly. This will enable electric arc steelmaking to replace a significant share of coal-based primary steelmaking.
https://t.co/6ggwzV7PqG

The halt to permits also indicates a broader change in political priorities, from the promotion of all kinds of industrial projects to prop up economic growth to promoting cleaner and higher-value growth. This has been apparent at least since the issuance of the energy saving and emissions reduction action plan in May.
https://t.co/DN5wzkNKUa

Read the full report here:
https://t.co/1Mdi7kbOcV

[Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta]

This is big: it seems China stopped permitting new coal-based steel mills in the first half of 2024!

Steel is the second-largest emitter in China after electricity, due to the industry's vast size and heavy reliance on coal.

In recent years, China has been permitting hundreds of millions of tonnes of new coal-based steel capacity. While these have been "replacement" projects, i.e. an equal or slightly larger amount of old capacity has to be closed, this continued investment has extended the sector's reliance on coal.

The potential to reduce emissions from steelmaking over the  next decade is probably larger than from any other sector. As the construction sector shrinks, steel demand plateaus or falls, and the availability of scrap steel increases rapidly. This will enable electric arc steelmaking to replace a significant share of coal-based primary steelmaking.
https://t.co/6ggwzV7PqG

The halt to permits also indicates a broader change in political priorities, from the promotion of all kinds of industrial projects to prop up economic growth to promoting cleaner and higher-value growth. This has been apparent at least since the issuance of the energy saving and emissions reduction action plan in May.
https://t.co/DN5wzkNKUa

Read the full report here:
https://t.co/1Mdi7kbOcV

[Chris Bataille @bataille_chris]

No new BFBOFs were permitted in China, only EAFs, in the first six months of 2024, #greensteel h/t @valenvogl https://t.co/KZjqCRPGMt

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

New paper by @JackCopley6 looking like steel decarb research is finally reckoning with the realities of the steel industry. Can't wait to dive in 💪🎉

https://t.co/knrITBcs6C

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

The unions seem particularly furious:

«The investigations that led to the searches by the Bari financial police today cast new shadows on Mittal's disastrous management of the former Ilva. - Rocco Palombella, Uilm general secretary.

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

Everyone's favourite steel plant in Taranto is BIG on the news again today. Prosecutors raided AdI based on allegations of EU ETS fraud in 2022 and 2023.

In 2022 and 2023, AdI was still a joint venture between ArcelorMittal (62%) and the IT gov (38%)

https://t.co/JKGdbQiJiq

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

Acciaierie d'Italia (AdI) is the company operating the notorious ILVA steel works in Taranto, one of the most polluted cities in Europe. The raid was part of a larger investigation into air pollution and neglectful maintenance of the asset.

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

What a sad day for the climate movement. Rest in peace Samson

[Fair Steel Coalition @FairSteel]

Our friend, colleague and comrade, Samson passed away on Friday, 28 June.

Samson was a founding member of the Fair Steel Coalition. His work and life has been a source of immense inspiration, fighting for dignity and justice.

Rest in Peace. Rest in Power.

[Fair Steel Coalition @FairSteel]

Our friend, colleague and comrade, Samson passed away on Friday, 28 June.

Samson was a founding member of the Fair Steel Coalition. His work and life has been a source of immense inspiration, fighting for dignity and justice.

Rest in Peace. Rest in Power.

[Climate Policy | climate-policy.bsky.social @Climate_Policy]

🔓: While rapid emission reductions are technically possible in the steel sector, overcapacity and trade conflicts risk impeding the transition. Targeted phase-out policies are needed to overcome the sector’s barriers to exit, say @JonasAlgers & @AhmanMax➡️https://t.co/LTSFYeOZVq

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

@AhmanMax 😬

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

Steel has just gotten way more interesting folks: https://t.co/fq53x9ahwS

Looks like the climate movement is discovering that heavy industry is way off track for the Paris Agreement

[Valentin Vogl @valenvogl]

@drvolts Pls ask how big direct electrification of ironmaking will be in 2030