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A recent investigation has outlined a tactical digital pathway to expedite the UK steel sector’s shift to net zero, cautioning that addressing skill deficiencies, regulatory challenges, and investment ambiguities is essential for the industry to achieve its climate objectives.
The analysis, crafted by scholars at the University of Warwick and endorsed by the InterAct programme, pinpoints 12 significant obstacles to the implementation of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs). These encompass everything from regulatory intricacies to a shortage of qualified personnel and funding constraints.
Employing a seven-layer framework, the research illustrates how these difficulties are interconnected and prioritises which should be focused on by policymakers and industry leaders. The goal is to direct the steel sector — which includes over 1,100 firms and contributes £2.3 billion to the UK economy — towards more resource-efficient and eco-friendly manufacturing.
Although steel is infinitely recyclable, its production is exceptionally energy-demanding, contributing to a considerable part of global CO₂ emissions. This renders decarbonisation an urgent concern, both domestically and globally.
“Our study presents focused, actionable insights that enable decision-makers to concentrate their efforts where they’ll have the most significant effect,” remarked Dr Taofeeq Ibn-Mohammed, one of the authors of the study. “A strategic combination of policy alterations, technological advancements, organisational transformation, and intelligent economic planning is crucial to navigating these challenges and fostering a more sustainable, competitive steel industry.”
The results have already been showcased at AISTech, the Iron and Steel Technology Conference in the US, where they received positive feedback from international industry stakeholders. A practitioner’s report is currently being developed to offer practical advice for UK businesses.
Dr Aitana Uclés Fuensanta, the principal researcher of the project, commented: “This represents the first empirical examination of its nature to outline the causal links between obstacles to IDT adoption. Our findings will empower stakeholders to prioritise initiatives, exchange best practices, and promote substantial advancements toward net zero.”
The investigation is part of the broader InterAct programme, which is financed through the government’s Made Smarter Innovation initiative. InterAct unites academics, manufacturers, policymakers, and digital technology providers to explore how new technologies can foster sustainable transformation within the UK industry.
Professor Jill MacBryde, co-director of InterAct at the University of Strathclyde, stated: “The efforts undertaken by the University of Warwick team mark a pivotal move toward a more sustainable future for the steel industry. By concentrating on the human, regulatory, and operational challenges alongside the technology itself, this roadmap delineates a clear trajectory forward.”
The methodologies established in the research are also being applied to other energy-intensive sectors such as ceramics and glass, aiding in reinforcing the UK’s status as a leader in industrial sustainability innovation.
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