Steel recycling - sustainable processing

In recent decades, the industry has changed considerably. Today, the focus is on secondary raw material collection, appropriate processing and the supply of raw materials to the steel and foundry industry. Steel recycling saves energy and conserves resources.

Conserving resources

The environmental policy goal of conserving natural resources is very much in favour of steel as a recycling-friendly material. Steel scrap can be used again and again - and without any loss of quality - in steelworks and foundries just like the primary raw material. However, steel recycling not only conserves scarce raw material resources. It also helps to save energy, relieve the environment of residues and avoid considerable carbon dioxide emissions.

Energy- / CO2 savings

In view of the increasing demand for stainless steel, responsible and efficient use of our resources is becoming more and more important. In this context, the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT has conducted a comprehensive study to examine and quantify how much environmentally harmful CO2 and thus also energy can be saved if new stainless steel is produced predominantly from high-quality alloyed scrap. According to calculations by the Fraunhofer UMSICHT Institute, an average of more than 4.5 t of CO2 is saved per tonne of stainless steel scrap used. Based on current production figures, this corresponds to the complete saving of all CO2 emissions from industry and households of a megacity with more than 10 million inhabitants.

Environmental protection

Steel is always renewable. Steel recycling is applied environmental protection. Due to the intact raw material cycle, it is a cornerstone of the circular economy and an expression of the free-market principle of dealing efficiently with scarce resources. For many years, the BDSV companies have been helping to set standards in recycling technology and to contribute significantly to the conservation of resources through the recovery and processing of steel scrap. The recovered secondary raw materials can be remelted in the steelworks and metal smelters without any loss of quality.

Just 100 tonnes of steel scrap lead to 167 tonnes of CO2 savings, which is equivalent to about 35,000 EUR saved in climate and environmental costs!

source: www.bdsv.org