The steel industry is central to the global energy transition, yet the coal-intensive BF–BOF route, which remains dominant worldwide, generates substantial greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. As steelmaking capacity expands in Southeast Asia through cross-border investment, it is unclear whether multinational corporations apply their home-country decarbonization commitments consistently in host countries.

This study examines the consistency of sustainability and decarbonization standards at PT Krakatau Posco, a joint venture between PT Krakatau Steel and POSCO, by comparing corporate commitments and operational practices in South Korea and Indonesia. Focusing on air emissions, the assessment covers emissions and ambient air quality, pollutant control, production technologies, and decarbonization commitments, benchmarked against Indonesian regulations, the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines, the IFC EHS Guidelines, and the EU BAT Conclusions.

The study also identifies regulatory, governance, investment, and technological factors behind differences in implementation. The findings are expected to inform recommendations for greater harmonization of environmental standards in cross-border steel industry investments