A process for steel production that includes:



production of sponge iron from iron oxide-containing starting material by direct reduction with reduction gas, wherein the reduction gas has at least 20% by volume of hydrogen H2,
and production of an iron melt having a carbon content of 1-5% by mass from the sponge iron.




Sponge iron is subjected to a treatment that includes:



energy input and addition of additives to produce a melt and a slag, wherein the energy input is effected substantially from electricity and wherein the slag has a basicity B2 of less than 1.3, preferably less than 1.25, particularly preferably less than 1.2,
adjustment of the carbon content in the melt,
reduction of at least a sub-amount of the iron oxides present in the sponge iron




The slag is separated during and/or after the treatment.