Fujitsu, a leading Japanese technology firm, has announced the launch of a groundbreaking demonstration experiment focused on the value flow of green steel within the steel industry. This initiative, which began in December 2025, was selected by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as part of its FY2025 Industrial Research Project under the theme of surveying the transmission of green steel information linked to steel materials across supply chains. The experiment is set to run through February 2026 and represents a significant step toward sustainable practices in one of the world's most carbon-intensive industries.

Green steel refers to steel produced with significantly reduced CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods, addressing the urgent societal challenge of cutting emissions from steel manufacturing. The project tackles key issues such as ensuring the environmental value—manifested through emissions reduction certificates issued by steel manufacturers—flows seamlessly from upstream producers to downstream users without duplication or loss. Fujitsu's expertise in CO2 emission reduction materials, blockchain technology, and data distribution platforms is central to this effort. By building a secure data distribution platform, the experiment ensures traceability of company and industry data while maintaining transaction confidentiality.

The demonstration will utilize Fujitsu's Sustainable Value Accelerator, an offering under its Uvance business model designed to support green transformation (GX). Collaborating with various steel businesses, Fujitsu will distribute third-party certified green steel certificates. This process verifies the uniqueness of environmental value, prevents double-counting, and preserves integrity as certificates pass through intermediate processors or diverse distribution channels. Methods like GX Mass Balance and GX Allocation, aligned with international standards such as ISO 22095:2020 and ISO 14067:2018, will be employed to allocate emission reductions accurately to specific products.

This initiative is particularly timely given global pressures for decarbonization. The steel industry faces hurdles in propagating its environmental achievements downstream, where current practices often fail to adequately reflect reductions. Fujitsu's platform addresses these by enabling secure, flexible sharing of reliable environmental data across borders and industries. Beyond the experiment, Fujitsu plans to develop broader mechanisms for green steel information distribution and explore expansion into a steel industry data space starting in 2026.

For steelmakers, suppliers, and integrators in Asia, this project offers strategic insights into digital transformation (DX) and environmental compliance. It highlights blockchain's role in Automation and Control Systems, IT/Software categories, and Environment, Recycle and Water Management on Steel-Technology.com. By fostering trust in green claims, it enhances competitiveness amid rising regulatory demands like the EU's CBAM. Fujitsu's commitment aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing innovation for societal trust and sustainability.

Industry professionals should note the potential for scalable solutions. The experiment's outcomes could standardize green steel tracking, benefiting mill operators in adopting low-carbon processes and equipment suppliers in developing compatible technologies. Partnerships formed here may lead to new R&D avenues, quality improvements, and sustainability strategies. As Japan pushes GX initiatives, this positions Asian steel firms to lead in global decarbonization, reducing reliance on carbon-intensive blast furnaces and embracing electric arc furnaces or hydrogen-based reduction.

Key challenges addressed include data security and value preservation. Traditional supply chains risk value dilution; blockchain ensures immutable records. Fujitsu's 113,000 employees, with strengths in AI, computing, and security, underpin this reliability. Revenues of 3.6 trillion yen underscore its capacity for large-scale deployment. Steel-Technology stakeholders in Continuous Casting, Secondary Metallurgy, and Steelmaking can leverage these advancements for strategic upgrades.

Looking ahead, success could inspire similar pilots in China and South Korea, harmonizing Asian efforts with international standards. This not only mitigates trade barriers but drives investments in Inspection Technology and Non-Contact Measurement for emissions monitoring. Fujitsu's vision under Uvance promises a sustainable supply chain, where environmental value translates to economic gain, fortifying B2B resilience in volatile markets.

In summary, this experiment is a pivotal move for the steel sector, blending technology with environmental imperatives to forge a greener future.