Steel production from iron melt

A process for steel production comprising

• production of sponge iron from iron oxide-containing starting material by direct reduction with reduction gas, wherein the reduction gas comprises at least 20% by volume of hydrogen H2,
• and
• production of an iron melt having a carbon content of 1-5% by mass, wherein at least a sub-amount of the sponge iron produced from iron oxide-containing starting material by direct reduction with reduction gas is subjected to a treatment,
• wherein the treatment comprises:
• 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 and wherein the slag is separated during and/or after the treatment
• and
• use of the iron melt for production of steel.