Martin van der Meer, Director of Outbound Logistics at Tata Steel Nederland, explains: “Rail transport is a strategic pillar in our transition towards lower CO₂ emissions. Driven by our sustainability goals and the need for more robust and efficient supply chains, we have significantly scaled up rail freight. This new route offers a reliable, sustainable and efficient solution with reduced Scope 3 emissions. It also saves packaging materials, as the steel no longer requires seaworthy protection, and it’s faster – within 30 hours, the steel reaches the customer.”

This initiative forms part of the mobility strategy of Tata Steel Nederland, optimising logistics in close collaboration with partners across the supply chain. For destinations in Eastern Europe, three trains loaded with steel coils will now depart every two weeks. In the Netherlands and Germany, these trains run on green electricity. The CO₂ savings result from intensive cooperation with around 50 customers, including major OEMs (automotive brands) as well as clients in engineering, construction and packaging sectors.

Find more information here on our way towards becoming a sustainable steel producer.

TSM specialises in painting steel, a process that releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the drying phase. To prevent these VOCs from entering the atmosphere, they are currently incinerated at high temperatures using natural gas, resulting in significant CO₂ emissions. The new RTO system, powered by electricity, will not only eliminate the need for fossil fuels but also enhance energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Jens Lauber, Managing Director of Tata Steel Colors, emphasises the strategic importance of this transition: “Together with Tata Steel Nederland, we are committed to producing greener, cleaner, and more circular steel. Our goal for Tata Steel Maubeuge is to become carbon-neutral by 2030, contributing to Tata Steel Nederland’s broader sustainability journey.” Installation of the RTO is already underway, with key components arriving since July and currently assembled. One of the most visible changes for the neighborhood will be the new 54-meter tall chimney.

The innovation with RTO required substantial financial investment. To accelerate its implementation, Tata Steel Maubeuge secured external funding with support from Meta and the French government, under the France 2030 initiative operated by ADEME[1].

Commissioning of the RTO is scheduled for December 2025, with full operational status expected by January 2026.

[1] Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Énergie

Every day, we work towards cleaner and greener steel. With innovative solutions and our Green Steel plan, we aim to reduce CO₂-emissions by 5 million tons per year from 2030, by transitioning to Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) technology and electric furnaces. This transition contributes to the European climate goals and strengthens our competitive position. In addition, we aim to increase the use of scrap in our production processes to 30% by 2030, contributing to a more sustainable use of resources and a reduction of our ecological footprint.

The comprehensive report lays bare the environmental and health implications of Tata’s plans to overhaul its steel production at the IJmuiden site. The new steel plant, which will operate using natural gas and green electricity instead of coal, is expected to slash CO₂ emissions by 5 million tonnes. With future integration of hydrogen, bio-methane, and underground carbon storage (CCS), the reductions could go even further – making this the largest single-company CO₂ cut in the Netherlands. 

Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland, said: “Our Green Steel plan, developed in close collaboration with trade unions and fully backed by our parent company in India, represents an unprecedented shift – not just for us, but for the entire region. We are moving away from coal, and towards a cleaner, greener future.” 

Jeroen Klumper, Director of the Green Steel Business Transformation, added: “Preparations are already in full swing. The blueprints are ready, we know where the new plants will be built, and we’ve detailed the environmental benefits in the EIA – from reduced nitrogen emissions to a significant drop in odour pollution. We have chosen to publish the EIA ourselves in the interest of transparency. We believe it is important for the local community to understand what our Green Steel plan entails. We’re going beyond legal requirements, using cutting-edge solutions to ensure our site remains future proof for decades to come.” 

Covering ore fields 
In a direct response to findings by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM), Tata Steel will start to cover its ore fields – a move expected to drastically reduce the spread of fine dust in the direct environment. The covering of the ore storage areas is not part of the EIA. It is at the top of the list of additional measures being discussed as part of the Tailor Made Agreement ('Maatwerk-afspraak'). Other measures include, for example, reducing noise pollution and covering the conveyor belts. 

Full support for health impact assessment
In line with earlier recommendations from the IJmond Health Expert Group, Tata Steel is also supporting the creation of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA). This will translate environmental data from the EIA into tangible health outcomes for the surrounding communities – a move the company fully endorses.

Public information sessions
Tata Steel will host two public information sessions on 8 and 9 July, 2025 (see links below), with representatives from the Province of North Holland and the North Sea Canal Environmental Agency in attendance. Two additional sessions will be organized after the summer holidays.

Physical meeting 8 juli | Café De Zon | Wijk aan Zee.  
Digital meeting 9 juli | Teams

Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Nederland, says: "Membership of LESS is a logical step for us in the decarbonisation of our company and contributes to the sustainability of the European steel sector. We support the objectives of LESS and the development of independent standards. This standardisation helps customers, policymakers, and the rest of the value chain to build confidence in sustainable steel products." 

On the way to a smaller ecological footprint

Whether it's wind turbines, batteries, cars, washing machines, food packaging or infrastructure, our daily lives rely on steel. This is precisely why the steel industry, and consequently Tata Steel, plays a critical role in achieving EU climate goals, as steel accounts for more than 5% of European CO₂-emissions. With CO₂-neutral steel, a significant impact can be achieved in reducing our collective ecological footprint.

With participation in LESS, we can provide our customers with steel according to a clear, transparent standard and demonstrate the sustainability of our product, also to the policymakers. Purchasers of steel products can in turn achieve their own sustainability goals and strengthen their position in a sustainability-focused market.

With the increasing relevance of sustainability, having a clear and certifiable standard for low-CO₂ steel is becoming increasingly important. This allows consumers and markets to actually determine the contribution a product makes to the sustainability transition.

Every day, we work towards cleaner and greener steel. With innovative solutions and our Green Steel plan, we aim to reduce CO₂-emissions by 5 million tons per year from 2030, by transitioning to Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) technology and electric furnaces. This transition contributes to the European climate goals and strengthens our competitive position. In addition, we aim to increase the use of scrap in our production processes to 30% by 2030, contributing to a more sustainable use of resources and a reduction of our ecological footprint.

MCB in Valkenswaard and Tata Steel Nederland have been partners in the steel value chain for decades. Mirenka Fortuin, Director Sales and Marketing Engineering at Tata Steel Nederland, states: "With our growing Zeremis® solutions, we are on the way to a CO2-neutral, circular world together with customers. We are pleased that MCB, a long-standing partner of ours, is opting for reduced-CO2 steel and low-CO2 transport." Tata Steel provides MCB with steel coils and tubes, which MCB further distributes to various customers for a multitude of applications. Erik Spikmans, Sales Director of MCB, on the collaboration with Tata Steel Nederland: "We are very pleased with this next step, which seamlessly aligns with our sustainability ambitions. In addition to our CO2-reduced products and Wood4Wood, we are now also achieving CO2 reduction in our transports."

In addition to Zeremis Delivered, Tata Steel also offers Zeremis Carbon Lite

The reduction of CO2 emissions in the transport chains between Tata Steel Nederland and participating customers is laid down in a 'Zeremis Delivered'[1] agreement. The steel customers receive independently verified CO2 reduction statements. This major step towards the sustainability of mutual transport comes on top of the Memorandum of Understanding that MCB and Tata Steel Nederland previously agreed upon for the delivery of CO2-reduced steel and tubes.

On the way together towards clean, green circular steel

Tata Steel Nederland is transitioning to become a clean, green, and circular steel producer. By 2030, Tata Steel aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 40% and to be climate-neutral by 2045. To achieve these goals, the company will implement various innovations such as Direct Reduced Iron installations in combination with Electric Arc Furnace technology. In addition, Tata Steel is working every day to increase steel recycling, with the aim of increasing the use of scrap to 30% from 2030 onwards.

1 Zeremis DL® is an independently verified book-and-claim solution based on CO2 reduction statements. This method is widely used in the transport sector because it enables both route efficiency and CO2 savings that are specifically allocated to a customer.

"Steel recycling is recycling par excellence. Where other materials such as plastic, glass, and aluminium are not infinitely recyclable without a lot of sorting and extra effort, steel is. In fact, lower quality steels can be made even better in terms of quality. We call this "upcycling" in the industry," says Judith Krale, new business manager for scrap at Tata Steel Nederland and responsible for the use of scrap in steel production.

‘Can deal’ contributes to 30% scrap use for green, circular steel

She is often referred to as the woman of 30%, because Krale works every day to achieve the goal of 30% scrap use in the production of cleaner, greener, and circular steel by 2030. This is ambitious, as in 2022 the share of scrap in Tata Steel's steel production was 17%. Krale states: "With new technologies for making green steel, we can also recycle more steel. So, we are always looking for more scrap, including packaging tin." To achieve this, Tata Steel Nederland has signed agreements with ten scrap companies in multiple countries: the Nederland, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The majority of the tinplate scrap in this 'can deal' comes from the United Kingdom, as that country has been engaged in waste separation for a longer period and is therefore further ahead in waste separation than the Netherlands and its neighboring countries.

Increased steel density for a more sustainable end product

At Tata Steel Nederland, the old steel, to-be-recycled tin is called 'tin can shred' because the steel cans are crushed in a kind of industrial mincer and flattened into small pieces, with a higher steel density. This has the advantage that its processing in the Oxy Steel Plant is more efficient, which in turn contributes to a more sustainable end product.

Steel cans are the recycling champion of the Netherlands

In addition to the many advantages of steel food packaging, such as long shelf life (even outside the refrigerator) and therefore less food waste, steel cans are not only easily recyclable but also relatively easy and inexpensive to separate from other waste due to their magnetic properties. In the Netherlands, steel packaging is therefore the 'recycling champion'. Almost 95% of the packaging steel used in the Netherlands is recycled into new steel. This includes beverage and food cans, aerosol cans, and paint cans. Tinplate is therefore the most recycled packaging material.

Read also: Tata Steel deploys high-tech laser and AI for increased steel recycling

To be able to significantly increase the use of scrap in steel production in the near future, Tata Steel aims to further optimize the recycling process. A challenge in this regard is that much of the old steel, such as from old ships or railroad tracks, is too large for regular conveyors and difficult to analyze. Therefore, Tata Steel researches the use of digital laser techniques to analyze the composition of scrap directly from the truck. The process works as follows: the truck carrying scrap enters a specially constructed gate with industrial laser and analysis equipment. The laser vaporizes very small pieces of the steel locally, creating a 'plasma', a small local gas bubble containing all the components of the scrap. This can then be filmed and analyzed with special cameras. Subsequently, depending on the specific composition and criteria, the scrap can be optimally introduced into the recycling process.

AI and digital twins for reduced waste and more CO2 reduction

Tata Steel researcher Bernard Ennis states: "In this measurement and analysis process, AI is used to more quickly recognize and analyze specific types of steel based on visual characteristics, known as 'scrap image recognition'. The manufacturing process is digitally modeled, or simulated, and tested in a computational model using 'digital twins'. This innovative combination of laser, AI, and digital modeling allows for more efficient sampling, faster scrap deployment logistics, and improved product quality. Moreover, this leads to fewer process errors in scrap deployment and thus less waste and CO2 reduction." At present, the technique is being researched and developed under the 'DiGreeS program'. The first measurements with the ‘Laser- Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy’ are scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2025, with the first results being announced. In 2026, the first prototype of the truck portal is expected to be ready for use, and the measurements and modeling will commence. Then, the implementation will follow, including the introduction of the digital twins modelled process.

'DiGreeS': Research with German and Austrian steel producers

'DiGreeS' is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Testing IZFP and aims to minimize the ecological footprint of the entire steel value chain through integrated digitalization. Within the 'DiGreeS' program, Tata Steel also collaborates with Saarstahl AG and the voestalpine Group. Saarstahl AG focuses on CO2 reduction of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) techniques at Saarstahl-Ascoval through the use of artificial intelligence based digital models, while voestalpine Group researches energy efficiency and conservation in steel plate processing. Tata Steel will also utilize this new knowledge when replacing the blast furnaces and coke and gas plants with DRI and EAF in the near future, as the traditional steel production process undergoes transformation and coal is replaced by sustainable energy.

Martin van der Meer, Director Outbound Logistics Tata Steel Nederland: "As a future-proof company, Tata Steel has the ambition to make the entire logistics chain more sustainable. To this end, we are deploying a wide range of sustainability measures. We are therefore pleased that together with DB Cargo we are making the switch to green electricity for transport by rail. In addition, among other things, we are actively implementing plug-in biofuels in the transition to zero-emission vehicles such as electric and/or hydrogen-powered means of transport. We are doing this in close cooperation with our partners and knowledge institutions in the chain."

Every year, 1.2 million tons of steel goes by train from IJmuiden to production sites of Tata Steel Nederland and to customers in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. This is largely done via DB Cargo's wagons. Nanouke van ’t Riet, CEO/COO at DB Cargo Nederland on the cooperation: “One freight train pulled by an efficient electric locomotive replaces at least 50 trucks. The train is therefore a very sustainable transportation alternative and also good for the accessibility of the Netherlands. We are pleased with the trust placed in us by Tata Steel Nederland to contribute to the further sustainability of their logistics chain."

Zero emissions in the chain

Every year, Tata Steel produces and transports an average of 6 to 7 million tons of steel to its downstream sites in the Netherlands and in Europe and to customers at various locations worldwide. Tata Steel is reducing emissions from that transport as part of the transition to clean, green and circular steel. Tata Steel aims for zero emissions in the chain as part of this, the Outbound Logistics department of Tata Steel Nederland is working daily to make the global transport network as optimal, safe, efficient and as sustainable as possible.

In recent years, efforts have been made to transport as much steel as possible by (inland) ship or train instead of transport by trucks. In 2024, more than 20% of all steel going to customers or third parties will be transported by train.

_{About Tata Steel Nederland} 

_{Tata Steel Nederland is one of Europe’s leading steel producers. The company supplies high-quality steel products to the most demanding markets, including construction, automotive, packaging and engineering. Tata Steel Nederland has sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and elsewhere in Europe and is part of the Indian Tata Steel Group, one of the world’s largest steel companies. Tata Steel Nederland is working on producing steel with zero carbon emissions by 2045. Green steel in a clean environment, without the use of coal.} 

Do you find this interesting? Have a look at this article:

• T.V. Narendran, CEO Tata Steel Ltd: “I believe we need to change as a steel company”

How do we become carbon neutral? 

Each site has its own challenges and solutions to emit less CO₂. It depends greatly on the size, location and activities at the site. Among other things, the following will be considered:

• Electrification of logistics 
• Reuse of waste heat 
• Use of vegetable fuel 
• Generating energy by means of solar panels and wind turbines 
• The use of green energy and hydrogen instead of coal and natural gas 

The biggest CO₂ savings ever

The biggest CO₂ reduction for Tata Steel Nederland will be made in IJmuiden. Here, 90% of the CO₂ emissions takes place when making pig iron right at the very beginning of the production process. To drastically reduce these emissions, we will make steel in a completely different way by using new technologies. Without the use of coal and with the use of sustainable energy sources, such as hydrogen. This is the biggest change our company has ever made. 

Did you know…

• CO₂ emissions have been reduced with 15% per ton of steel since 1990? 
• Two of our sites are already carbon neutral? 
• And that seven locations want to achieve that by 2025? 
• Tata Steel's CO₂ emissions are 7% lower than the average of European steel companies? 
• CO₂ emissions from transporting our products to customers have reduced with 17% since 2019?