The carbon footprint of steel production has been a topic of increasing concern in recent years, as industries worldwide grapple with the challenge of reducing their environmental impact. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the carbon footprint is approximately 1.4 tons of CO2 per produced ton of steel. However, McKinsey and the World Steel Association present a slightly higher figure of 1.85 tons. This variation is due to the two primary methods of steel production: the Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) route and the Electric Arc Furnace route (EAF).

The BF-BOF route, often referred to as the ‘primary’ path, is responsible for the higher carbon footprint, emitting around 1.987 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel produced. In contrast, the EAF route, considered the ‘secondary’ path, utilises 105% recycled steel, drastically reducing its carbon footprint to just 0.357 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel produced. This substantial difference demonstrates the pivotal role of recycling in curbing carbon emissions associated with steel production.

RecMat Ltd, a leading name in metal recycling, actively contributes to the reduction of steel’s carbon footprint. By recycling metal materials, we predominantly follow the EAF route, which leverages recycled steel. This environmentally responsible approach significantly reduces the carbon emissions linked to steel production. In fact, up to 1.787 tonnes of CO2 are saved per tonne of recycled steel used in comparison to the primary BF-BOF method.

Furthermore, it’s essential to consider the environmental impacts just from the transportation of steel. The impact of transportation, estimated at 7.9 grams of CO2 per tonne-km, can further contribute to the overall environmental impact of steel production. RecMat Ltd optimises its logistics and transportation processes to minimise these emissions, ensuring that the environmental benefits of metal recycling are maximised.

In conclusion, steel is a vital component of our modern world, but its production carries a significant carbon footprint. RecMat Ltd plays a pivotal role in mitigating this impact by actively promoting metal recycling. By choosing recycled steel and partnering with environmentally conscious organisations like RecMat Ltd, we can collectively work towards a greener and more sustainable future, reducing the carbon footprint associated with steel and other essential industries.