Cement Manufacturing Sector Overview

The U.S. iron and steel sector accounts for 1.0% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, totaling 63 MMT CO2e. While 70% of U.S. steel is already produced via electric arc furnaces (EAFs), which emit 75–90% less CO2 than blast furnaces when using clean energy, the remaining 30% of production relies on coal-fired blast furnaces. Key decarbonization pathways include expanding EAF capacity, deploying carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) for existing blast furnaces, and scaling hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (H2-DRI). Recommended state-level policies include providing low-interest loans or grants for capital financing, setting low-carbon procurement standards for public projects, and supporting clean hydrogen hub development.

• The U.S. iron and steel sector produces 63 MMT CO2e, representing 1.0% of total U.S. emissions, and employs 77,665 people with an annual payroll of $8.32 billion.
• Electric arc furnaces (EAFs) currently account for approximately 70% of U.S. steel production and can emit 75–90% less CO2 than traditional blast furnaces if powered by clean energy.
• Decarbonizing the remaining 30% of U.S. steel production requires a transition from coal-fired blast furnaces to cleaner routes, specifically through the scale-up of CCUS, the construction of new EAFs, and the adoption of hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (H2-DRI).

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Cement Manufacturing Sector Overview. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175350/CATF-Iron-and-Steel-Manufacturing-Factsheet.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Cement Manufacturing Sector Overview. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175350/CATF-Iron-and-Steel-Manufacturing-Factsheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Cement Manufacturing Sector Overview |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175350/CATF-Iron-and-Steel-Manufacturing-Factsheet.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendcement, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Cement Manufacturing Sector Overview}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175350/CATF-Iron-and-Steel-Manufacturing-Factsheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }