Global green iron developments and implications for Australia

Global steel markets currently face a double challenge.

On the one hand, as in 2016, steel excess capacity levels, fueled by market distorting subsidies primarily in non-OECD countries, are rising again, and lead to a rise in steel exports particularly from China. This reduces prices and profit margin for steel companies. On the other hand, steel companies that jointly account for 8% of global CO2 emissions, face the need to decarbonize to comply with climate objectives, with excess capacity making this transition increasingly difficult.

In the midst of these challenges, key developments in green iron markets and trade are taking place, with iron and steel production becoming geographically separated.

This ‘green iron revolution’ provides opportunities for countries and companies along the steel value chain as well as for cost-efficient decarbonisation, but also leads to risks of undesirable policy competition, a further fragmentation of markets and challenges for developing economies to participate in this transition.

During this seminar, recent OECD Steel Committee work on these topics will be presented to allow for a discussion on implications for Australia and how global cooperation can help ensure that green iron developments provides solutions to the challenges the global steel industry faces.

The OECD is currently carrying out a global green iron project on these topics, with a dedicated case study on Australia.