Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform Invites Producer Input on Asia-Pacific Iron and Steel Supply Outlook

RMI-led buyers platform issues non-binding request for information to examine feasible low-emissions iron and steel supply options, timelines, and trade considerations

Boulder, CO – April 6, 2026 — The Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform (SSBP), an international initiative accelerating steel decarbonization through collaborative procurement and market action founded by energy transition nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), has launched a Request for Information (RFI) for iron and steel producers and project developers serving Asia-Pacific markets. The RFI is intended to improve understanding between buyers and suppliers regarding feasible future supply options in the world’s largest steel-producing region. 

Today, conventional steelmaking remains one of the most carbon-intensive industrial activities, accounting for approximately 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Near-zero emissions steel is increasingly in demand as companies accelerate efforts to address emissions hotspots in their supply chains and meet climate commitments. The SSBP was launched in 2023 to help bridge the gap between supply and demand for near-zero-emissions iron and steel, which is projected to reach over 6 megatons annually by the end of the decade in the region. The newest demand aggregation effort will apply the SSBP framework to Asia-Pacific markets, adapting it to regional production, trade, and investment cycles. 

“By bringing buyers together to shift announced demand signals to bankable commitments, we can help unlock investment in near-zero emissions steel and accelerate efforts to address industrial emissions worldwide,” said Thomas Koch Blank, managing director of RMI’s industries program. “Scaling this procurement model into the Asia Pacific region represents a significant opportunity to build on existing momentum and reinforce ongoing decarbonization efforts in one of the world’s most critical and fast-growing steel markets.”  

Asia Pacific plays a central role in global steel supply and trade. Decisions made across the region over time will influence cost, availability, and competitiveness of iron and steel products through 2050. Buyers across automotive, construction, energy, and industrial manufacturing are seeking greater clarity on what supply options may be feasible, and on what timelines, under different market conditions. 

Across the region, producers are pursuing a range of approaches to remain competitive and manage emissions intensity, including incremental efficiency improvements, alternative reductants, increased use of electric arc furnaces, and hybrid production routes. In addition to these pathways, which are needed to bring down emissions in existing facilities, deep decarbonization of the steel sector will require investment in novel ironmaking pathways, where ironmaking is currently responsible for 90% of emissions in steel production. These technologies can be deployed as greenfield projects or alongside existing operations, with hydrogen-based Direct Reduction of Iron as the leading large-scale, commercially viable option. 

SSBP is structured to direct purchasing power towards large capital investments that can deliver deeply decarbonized steel products, while being technology-agnostic and non-exclusive. The North American procurement attracted incumbent producers and startups alike, receiving 13 first-of-a-kind commercial-scale project proposals targeting product delivery in the early 2030s. 

As an initial step in the new geography, RMI has issued the RFI on behalf of participating buyers to iron and steel producers and project developers supplying Asia-Pacific markets. The RFI invites input from all current and potential suppliers of iron and steel. The RFI is open to projects at different stages, including pilot and demonstration facilities, brownfield upgrades, and new commercial developments. Information gathered through the RFI, together with buyer input, will be used to inform the design of a potential follow-on Request for Proposal (RFP), currently anticipated in early 2027. Any future steps would be developed separately and based on market conditions at that time. 

For producers and project developers who can deliver low-emissions or near-zero emissions iron or steel to the Asia-Pacific region, the RFI provides an opportunity to share perspectives on feasibility, constraints, and contracting considerations for supplying Asia-Pacific markets. Coordinated buyer engagement can provide additional context for early-stage planning, financing discussions, and partnership considerations, without creating obligations. 

For buyers, the process supports more informed low-emissions supply chain planning by engaging early with producers and developers operating in regions that anchor global steel and iron trade. 

With its attention turned to the Asia-Pacific market, the Platform is poised to accelerate the global transition to near-zero emissions steel in one of the world’s fastest-growing and most steel-intensive regions. By convening leading buyers and aligning demand signals across borders, SSBP can help unlock investment in next-generation iron and steelmaking, spur innovation, and strengthen resilient, low-carbon supply chains — supporting economic growth while advancing a cleaner, more competitive industrial future for the region and beyond. 

To learn more about SSBP’s Asia-Pacific procurement process and respond to the RFI, please visit: https://rmi.org/sustainable-steel-buyers-platforms-request-for-information/asia-pacific-procurement-process   

Media Inquiries, please contact:
Amy Yanow Fairbanks, Strategic Communications Manager, RMI
media@rmi.org 

About RMI  

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to secure a prosperous, resilient, clean energy future for all. In collaboration with businesses, policymakers, funders, communities, and other partners, RMI drives investment to scale clean energy solutions, reduce energy waste, and boost access to affordable clean energy in ways that enhance security, strengthen the economy, and improve people’s livelihoods. RMI is active in over 50 countries.