The Australian Green Metals for Sustainable Steel from Australia and Germany (SuSteel) study is assessing the technical and economic viability of an Australia–Germany green iron and steel value chain, examining opportunities and challenges for supply-chain decarbonisation, and identifying enabling conditions and pathways for implementation that could strengthen industrial capability and grow employment in both countries through shared endeavour. The initiative was announced by the Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, in September 2024, during the visit of German State Secretary Anja Hajduk and formed part of a broader strengthening of bilateral energy and climate cooperation through an expanded Australia–Germany Energy and Climate Partnership.The work is being led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, supported by the UNSW School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering and the ARC Training Centre for the Global Hydrogen Economy (GlobH2E), and Germany’s Fraunhofer IST, with funding provided through the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). This work combines technical and economic feasibility assessment with stakeholder engagement, roadmapping and workshops to identify enabling conditions, existing support mechanisms, and pathways to implement the value chain.

The project arrives at a critical juncture as Germany's steel sector faces the twin challenges of reducing carbon emissions whilst maintaining competitiveness amidst rising energy costs. The industry is pivoting towards greener technologies, specifically the use of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plants powered by green hydrogen to produce green iron for green steelmaking. This method could cut CO₂ emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional blast furnace techniques, positioning Germany as a leader in green steel production.

Australia, with its abundant iron ore reserves and renewable energy capacity, could supply Germany with both raw iron ore and green hydrogen-or even locally produced green iron or steel-facilitating the creation of a sustainable green metals value chain between the two nations.

The project will assess the technical feasibility of a green metals value chain between Australia and Germany, exploring broader implications for jobs, industry, and energy consumption in both countries. By leveraging Germany's advanced steel manufacturing expertise and Australia's iron ore and renewable energy resources, this collaboration could pave the way for a new era in green iron and steel production, advancing global efforts toward carbon neutrality.