Of the two billion tonnes of steel produced each year, around half is used by the construction industry. This steel is a mixture of primary steel produced mostly using iron ore, and secondary steel produced mostly from ferrous scrap.
This paper is the product of a literature review undertaken by a group of experts drawn from across the steel industry, construction, academia and civil society, who wished to understand how much of all ferrous scrap in circulation is successfully recycled, how this might change in the future, and what this means for the construction industry.
At the public launch of this whitepaper, the authors provided an overview of the research and conclusions, and took questions as to how to apply its conclusions and recommendations in the design of steel structures.
- Revisit the principles of the role of scrap metals in steel production.
- Gain valuable insights into the quantities of scrap and steel produced globally.
- Hear recommendations for the ways in which engineers and the supply chain can best support the decarbonisation of the global steel industry.
The role of scrap in steel decarbonisation
Head of Climate Action, IStructE
Will leads the IStructE’s response to the climate emergency, bringing sustainability action into all aspects of its work. He is responsible for driving change within the profession, setting the minimum sustainability standards for institution members, producing sustainability publications and training to support this, and collaborating across the wider industry as it moves towards zero emissions. Previous to his work with the institution, Will was a practising structural engineer at Arup for 10 years where he was responsible for key aspects of ambitious architectural projects across the world.
Will leads the The Institution of Structural Engineers’s response to the climate emergency, bringing sustainability action into all aspects of its work. He is responsible for driving the update of minimum standards for institution members, producing supporting guidance, and leaving collaboration across the wider industry.
Senior Manager, Steel, Climate Group
Sameen is managing the global SteelZero initiative at Climate Group that brings together leading organisations sending a clear market signal to speed up the transition to a net zero steel industry. In this role, she supports global steel buying businesses to make net zero steel procurement decisions through an ambitious SteelZero commitment, contributes to the development of net zero steel standards, and is involved in working groups and forums with a global network of international and multi-lateral organisations, think tanks, NGOs and governments working collectively towards decarbonising the steel industry.
Previously, Sameen managed multi-million funding schemes to support the roll-out of energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation projects across the UK public sector buildings.
Sustainability Director, British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA)
Michael is a Civil Engineer and Chartered Environmentalist. Currently, he is Sustainability Director at the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA). He has 25 years’ experience of environmental and sustainability work in consultancy, research and research management roles in the steel and construction sectors.
Michael is responsible for sustainability at the Association; providing advice and support to Members and representing the steel construction sector within the wider construction sector.