---
title: Steelmaking | one to ONE Holdings
description: "Steelmaking: Modern process (BF/BOF to Secondary Metallurgy), history, and the urgent global shift to EAF/hydrogen for decarbonization."
image: https://www.o2oh.com/hubfs/o2Oh_18mm-1.jpg
---

Perfecting imperfections with one to ONE

# Glossary

### GLOSSARYTerms A-Z

- [Glossary](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary)
- [ALL](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary?val=all)
- [A～G](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary?val=a_g)
- [H～N](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary?val=h_n)
- [O～U](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary?val=o_u)
- [V～Z](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary?val=v_z)
- [Numbers ・ Symbols](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary?val=0_9)

# Steelmaking

The modern steelmaking process is defined as the conversion of high-carbon iron into controlled-carbon [steel](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/steel).

The primary route involves three steps:

1. Ironmaking: [Iron ore](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/iron-ore) is reduced in the **[Blast Furnace (BF)](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/blast-furnace) **using coke to produce molten [**pig iron**](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/pig-iron) (or use [EAF](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/electric-arc-furnace-eaf) with [scrap steel](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/scrap-steel)/DRI).
2. Steelmaking (Conversion): The molten pig iron is charged into a [**Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF)**](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/basic-oxygen-furnace-bof), where pure oxygen is blown in to oxidize and remove excess carbon and impurities quickly.
3. Secondary Metallurgy: The resulting steel is transferred to a ladle for precise temperature and chemical composition adjustments. Finally, it's cast into solid forms (e.g., slabs or billets) through **Continuous Casting **before rolling.

> Historically, *[Iron](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/iron) production* dates back to before the Common Era (BCE), which occasionally yielded small amounts of steel. However, *modern steelmaking* enabling mass production was only established by the 19th-century Bessemer process.

Ironmaking and thus steelmaking evolved regionally because early processes were entirely dependent on local natural resources—specifically the quality of [iron ore](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/iron-ore) and the fuel source, initially charcoal.

For instance, Japan developed the Tatara ironmaking process, which uses iron sand to produce *tamahagane*—a specialized, high-purity steel essential for crafting exceptional Japanese swords. The West advanced via the Bloomery method, later transitioning to the [Blast ](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/blast-furnace)[Furnace](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/blast-furnace)** **(BF), where coal/coke were plentiful.

Today’s focus is on advanced alloys like [High-Tensile Steel](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/high-tensile-steel) (HSS) and tackling the severe CO2 challenge, including a global shift away from the traditional Blast Furnace toward low-carbon methods, primarily the [Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/electric-arc-furnace-eaf) utilizing scrap or green hydrogen-reduced iron. Decarbonization is the central mission of the global steel industry.

Diagram of DSTI’s 'Daiwa Z Process,' a unique in-line galvanizing method.

### RELATED WORDS

---

- [SBTN (Science Based Targets Network)](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/sbtn-science-based-targets-network)
- [SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/sbti-science-based-targets-initiative)
- [SBTs (Science-Based Targets)](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/sbts-science-based-targets)
- [Supply Chain Resilience](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/supply-chain-resilience)
- [Supply Chains](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/supply-chains)
- [System Boundary](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/system-boundary)
- [Scaffolding](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/scaffolding)
- [Servitization](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/servitization)
- [SASB](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/sasb)
- [Sustainability Report](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/sustainability-report)
- [Steel](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/steel)
- [Scenario Planning](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/scenario-planning)
- [Scope 3](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/scope-3)
- [Scope 2](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/scope-2)
- [Scope 1](https://www.o2oh.com/glossary/scope-1)

Copyright © one to ONE Holdings Pte. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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