​Building a sustainable metals industry through electrification, automation, and digitalization

The global metals industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. As demand for metal products increases, so does the urgency to reduce carbon emissions and adopt more sustainable production methods. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by embracing electrification, automation, and digitalization across all stages of the value chain – from raw material extraction and iron- and steelmaking to rolling, finishing, processing.

These technologies enable smarter energy use, more precise process control, and better integration of renewable energy sources. They also help reduce waste, optimize throughput, and provide real-time data insights that allow manufacturers to make faster, more informed decisions that benefit both operational performance and long-term sustainability objectives.

Why this transformation matters

Metals are the foundation of modern society. They are essential to construction, transportation, infrastructure, consumer packaging, and technology manufacturing. The global metals market is valued at over $4 trillion, with steel taking ~ 35 percent market share.

However, steel makes up 7-9% of global CO2 emissions and applying innovative methods like hydrogen-based production as well as proven technologies such as electric arc furnaces (EAF) are crucial to meet growing demands. Wordsteel anticipates growth in global steel demand and that the demand for low-carbon steel is expected to increase significantly towards the end of the decade.
In the aluminium sector, the focus is also on reducing emissions and investing more in recycling, which can save up to 95% of CO2 emissions compared to primary production.

Pathways to progress in Spain

In Spain, policies such as the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2021–2027 and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan are being implemented to promote innovation and digital transformation. Companies like Celsa, Acerinox, and Aludium are investing in advanced technologies to improve efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions, adopting circular economy practices. A standout project is OPTISTEEL, led by the CELSA Group in collaboration with ABB, which aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact in the steel rolling process. Additionally, ABB has provided solutions for the FOCS projects, which optimize energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions in gas furnaces for the steel industry.

Looking ahead

As stated in KPMG’s report on strategies for decarbonization and operational excellence, there are signs of progress with a growing number of industry leaders recognizing the need for change:

• 57 percent of executives in the metals sector say that carbon reduction targets must be fully embedded into their company’s overall business strategy.

• 61 percent report that they are now more confident in their ability to align business growth with environmental sustainability.

An integrated, industry-wide approach

Achieving reductions in emissions and resource consumption requires collaboration across the entire metals value chain. At ABB, we are committed to sharing our technical expertise and working closely with our partners and suppliers to help manufacturers enhance operational efficiency – while accelerating progress toward their sustainability targets.

Download ABB’s report ‘Future-proofing metals: How integrating electrification, automation and digitalization can shape the path to sustainability’ here to learn more about how you can improve your metals production.

Enric Giner
Managing Director of Process Industries in Spain