Tata Steel’s Dutch mill joins low-emissions standards organization

Tata Steel Nederland has become a member of the Brussels-based Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) organization, an independent nonprofit organization that promotes the transition of the steel industry to climate neutrality.

“Membership [in] LESS is a logical step for us in the decarbonization of our company and contributes to the sustainability of the European steel sector,” Tata Steel Nederland CEO Hans van den Berg says.

“We support the objectives of LESS and the development of independent standards. This standardization helps customers, policymakers and the rest of the value chain to build confidence in sustainable steel products.”

The Netherlands-based mill, which is in the process of installing electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, says LESS leads the development of low-emission steel standardization and the associated labelling system, adding that membership strengthens Tata Steel’s position as a leader in the European steel industry in the field of low-emission steel production.

Tata Steel says the standard can provide its customers with steel according to a "clear, transparent standard and demonstrate the sustainability of our product.”

LESS membership also ties into the company's Green Steel plan, which has a goal to reduce Tata Steel’s CO₂ emissions by 5 million tons per year starting in 2030.

“For every ton of scrap we convert into new steel, we reduce our CO₂ emissions by 1.6 tons," Tata Steel says its description of that plan. "And in in the near future, [we] will increase the usage of scrap from 17 percent now to 30 percent from 2030 onwards.”