CC BY 4.0Wagner, AymaraAymaraWagnerWalker, Anna MariaAnna MariaWalkerAlbizzati, Paola FedericaPaola FedericaAlbizzatiMilios, LeonidasLeonidasMiliosBesler, MalteMalteBeslerPedauga, LuisLuisPedaugaRostek, LeonLeonRostekKeramidas, KimonKimonKeramidasPiñero Mira, PabloPabloPiñero MiraChristis, MaartenMaartenChristisFonteyn, PieterPieterFonteynPetsinaris, FoivosFoivosPetsinarisZibell, LaurentLaurentZibellTonini, DavideDavideTonini2025-10-142025-10-142025978-92-68-31067-01831-9424https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/497340https://doi.org/10.24406/publica-575510.2760/785549110.24406/publica-5755The EU steel sector can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64-81 Mt CO2-eq. annually by 2050 through circular economy (CE) measures. CE can also significantly decrease EU demand for ores and energy products, leading to a EUR 7 billion annual increase in the EU trade balance with significant imports reduction from China, US, UK, and Russia. However, this may come with trade-offs such as reduced employment and gross value added, which need to be further studied. The study's findings are policy-relevant, highlighting the need for a holistic approach and policy mix to materialise CE potential and informing EU policymakers on strategies to support the steel sector's sustainable transition.enAdaptation to climate changeCarbon neutralityCircular economyEnergy technologyIron and steel industryPolicymaking Research and developmentSocioeconomic conditionsreport