Pollution-Converting Steel Plants

The environment is an issue corporations are caring more and more about, as evidenced by a new sustainable steel practice put in place by ArcelorMittal. The world's largest steel company is launching a pilot program at one of their plants that will convert byproducts that are environmentally harmful into a renewable energy source. In other words, ArcelorMittal's Ghent plant will be turning carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into ethanol.

The sustainable steel practice is possible due to a partnership with bioengineering firm LanzaTech as well as the use of a microbe that originates from the guts of rabbits. The customized clostridium microbe is used to turn polluting byproducts into bioethanol. This chemical can in turn be used to power things like cars and airplanes.

Construction is expected to begin in 2017. If it goes well, the program could be extended to their other plants.