A new study has set out a strategic digital roadmap to fast-track the UK steel industry’s transition to net zero, warning that overcoming skills shortages, regulatory hurdles and investment uncertainty is vital if the sector is to meet its climate goals.
The research, developed by academics at the University of Warwick and supported by the InterAct programme, identifies 12 critical barriers to the adoption of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs). These include everything from regulatory complexity to a lack of skilled workers and funding pressures.
Using a seven-layer framework, the study maps out how these challenges interconnect and ranks which need to be prioritised by policymakers and industry leaders. The aim is to guide the steel industry — which comprises more than 1,100 companies and contributes £2.3 billion to the UK economy — towards more resource-efficient and sustainable production.
While steel is endlessly recyclable, its production is highly energy-intensive, accounting for a significant portion of global CO₂ emissions. That makes decarbonisation a pressing priority, both nationally and internationally.
“Our research provides targeted, actionable recommendations that empower decision-makers to focus their efforts where they’ll have the greatest impact,” said Dr Taofeeq Ibn-Mohammed, one of the study’s authors. “A strategic blend of policy reform, technological innovation, organisational change and smart economic planning is key to overcoming these barriers and building a greener, more competitive steel industry.”
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