New Laser Tech Promises 95% Emissions Cut in Steel Production: Could This Be the Future?

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The foundation of contemporary infrastructure, steel, contributes significantly to carbon emissions worldwide, making up around 10% of the total.

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In traditional steelmaking, coal is burned in blast furnaces—a expensive and ecologically unfavourable technique.

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A more environmentally friendly option called direct reduced iron uses hydrogen, however it can only use 3% of the world's ore supply.

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A laser-based technique that Limelight Steel proposes promises to revolutionise steel manufacturing amid industry worries.

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This creative method uses a variety of tiny, powerful lasers to quickly heat iron ore to melting temperature.

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Limelight's technique can drastically cut emissions by 95% and is not resource-restricted, unlike hydrogen DRI.

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Compared to hydrogen DRI, this approach has the potential to save 30% on energy, making it a more sustainable approach going forward.

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The Department of Energy, seeing potential, has provided Limelight with $2.9 million for R&D.

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Is Limelight's laser technology the secret to a cleaner industry, given that the need for steel is expected to increase by 2050?

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