Induz – Deep Decarbonisation Innovation for Steel and Cement Industries in Brazil

The steel and cement industries are among Brazil’s most emission-intensive sectors and account for a significant share of the country’s industrial greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, both sectors play a central role in infrastructure, industrial value creation, and economic development. With Brazil’s national climate targets and new regulatory frameworks, the pressure for transformation on energy-intensive industries is increasing significantly.

At the same time, Brazil’s high share of renewable energy and its potential for industrial innovation create favorable conditions for the development of climate-compatible production systems. However, there is often a lack of technological experience, industrial demonstration projects, and methodological approaches for evaluating and implementing suitable transformation pathways to carry out far-reaching decarbonization solutions.

Against this backdrop, the Induz program supports the development and demonstration of innovative decarbonization solutions for the Brazilian steel and cement industries. The goal is to bring together technological innovations, industrial demonstration projects, capacity building, and international cooperation to accelerate the long-term transformation of energy-intensive industries.

Technology pathways for industrial decarbonization

The project investigates technological options for reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions in steel and cement production. It examines various transformation approaches, including the electrification of industrial processes, alternative fuels and raw materials, hydrogen technologies, circular economy approaches, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

The focus is on assessing technological feasibility, industrial scalability, and site-specific implementability within the Brazilian context.

Development of decarbonization roadmaps

A key focus of the program is the development of technology-oriented roadmaps for industrial transformation processes. These help companies identify suitable decarbonization pathways for specific production sites and systematically prepare for investment decisions.

Among other factors, the roadmaps consider technology maturity levels, possibilities of integration into existing production systems, and potential for emissions reduction.

Demonstration projects and capacity building

To accelerate industrial innovation, the program supports the development of pilot and demonstration projects for low-emission production processes. The goal is to gain practical experience with new technologies and to test their industrial applicability under real-world conditions.

At the same time, institutional capabilities for industrial decarbonization are being strengthened, including through the establishment of the Competence Development Center (CDC), training programs, and international knowledge and technology transfers.

International cooperation and industrial transformation

Induz brings together industry, research institutions, policy-making bodies, and financing stakeholders in a joint transformation process. Through international cooperation and technology-related innovation partnerships, the program aims to create long-term framework conditions for climate-compatible industrial production.

The program thus contributes to the implementation of Brazil’s national climate goals while simultaneously supporting the development of internationally compatible industrial transformation strategies for industrial sectors that are difficult to decarbonize.