SMS group presents Plant Assessment Tool for customized decarbonization at worldsteel Breakthrough Technology Conference

• SMS group showcases customized decarbonization pathways at worldsteel’s Breakthrough Technology Conference in Singapore
• The data-driven Plant Assessment Tool identifies the most viable decarbonization strategies, balancing sustainability and profitability

The steel industry is at a turning point: decarbonization and competitiveness must go hand in hand. At this year’s worldsteel Breakthrough Technology Conference, SMS group reaffirmed its role as a trusted partner in driving this transformation.

Tailored technological pathways for individual challenges
SMS designs and builds technologies that adapt to the specific conditions of each steelmaker—whether it’s related to energy use, iron ore quality, or regulatory frameworks. “Decarbonization is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires approaches that solve what truly matters for our customers,” emphasized Jochen Burg, CEO of SMS group, in his opening address.

Insights from SMS CTO Thomas Hansmann
In his presentation “Reimagining Decarbonization: Unveiling Global Innovations and Regional Dynamics,” Thomas Hansmann, CTO of SMS group, stressed the need for region-specific strategies and diverse technologies for global decarbonization, with a particular focus on Asia’s rapid industrial growth. He highlighted the upcoming deployment of SMS’s innovative Paul Wurth EASyMelt (electric-assisted syngas smelter) technology at Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur plant in India. This retrofit will significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by electrifying existing blast furnaces—a flexible alternative to the direct reduction route and a milestone in the ironmaking process transformation. “The blast furnace and its associated retrofits remain predominant under current price conditions and will continue to play a relevant role even in evolving future contexts,” said Thomas Hansmann.

Expert consulting: combining sustainability and profitability
Decarbonization success depends on numerous variables, and solutions that are feasible today may not remain viable in the future. That is why SMS provides a data-driven decision-making tool to support steelmakers in navigating the complex path toward decarbonization: the Plant Assessment Tool (PAT).

PAT uses live-simulated models and sensitivity analyses to calculate the most viable decarbonization pathways. It considers key factors such as energy prices, raw material availability, and carbon footprint implications across scopes 1, 2, and 3. PAT enables detailed CAPEX and OPEX evaluations, allowing steel producers to compare scenarios and make informed decisions that drive sustainable and economically sound transformation.

Tim Ochel, Head of Green Steel at SMS, states, “With PAT, we provide our customers with clarity. It enables us to jointly identify the best available technologies—ensuring both sustainability and economic viability.”