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2.1.1 The Steel Industry
Iron is the main component of steel and is made from iron ore and some kind of reduction
agent, which usually consists of coke, coal and a reducing gas. Although pure iron is very
rarely found in the earth crust [6], iron is the fourth most abundant element in the crust [7].
Iron is mostly found in different combinations with oxygen, so called iron ore. Crude iron
consists of up to 4% carbon and is very brittle. To get steel with the desired properties, most
of the carbon is removed and alloy elements are added. [6] The steel is most often also heat
treated to achieve even better properties for the intended application. The heat treatment is
either performed during the production of a steel component or as a final production step. [1]
The global production of crude steel is around 1300 Mton per year. China is the largest steel
producer and contributes today with one third of the total steel production. The steel
production in Sweden amounts to 0.4% of the global steel production. [8]
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