Green Steel
Green Steel represents a significant advancement in the Stainless Steel industry, offering a product that combines high-quality Stainless Steel with a greatly reduced carbon footprint.
Green steel refers to steel produced with significantly reduced or near-zero carbon emissions.
The goal is to create steel that matches the quality of conventional steel while slashing its carbon footprint - making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious industries, from construction to aerospace and beyond.
Reduced Carbon Emissions
The key to achieving green steel lies in transforming the production process to rely less on coal-based energy, particularly in blast furnaces, and replacing it with renewable energy and innovative technologies that minimise emissions
Traditional steel production relies on carbon-intensive processes, particularly the use of coke in blast furnaces to reduce iron ore to molten iron. By contrast, green steel production focuses on alternative methods such as utilising electric arc furnaces (EAFs) powered by renewable energy (solar, wind, hydropower) to melt scrap steel, which drastically cuts down emissions, and storing emissions during the steel-making process to prevent them from reaching the atmosphere.
Circle Green
Our mill partners have taken a revolutionary step forward with the launch of Circle Green, the world’s first stainless steel product with an exceptionally low carbon footprint. As of its introduction, Circle Green steel has achieved emissions levels 92% lower than the global average for stainless steel production, with a mere 0.4 kg CO₂ emissions per kg of steel. This is a monumental shift in an industry where the average emissions are around 5 kg of CO₂ per kg of stainless steel.
Circle Green steel is produced using 90-100% recycled material. The extensive use of scrap significantly lowers the need for virgin raw materials, which are more carbon-intensive to extract and process.
Sustainability Leadership
By sourcing low-carbon steel, Steel Dynamics can help our customers reduce their supply chain emissions, a crucial component of corporate sustainability reporting. As major global industries like automotive and construction pledge to achieve net-zero emissions, suppliers of low-carbon materials will be in high demand.
As governments in the UK and Europe tighten carbon emissions regulations, including those related to industrial processes, transitioning to green steel can ensure compliance with stricter environmental standards. The UK government’s push for net-zero emissions by 2050 will likely mean tougher requirements on carbon-heavy industries, making green steel not just an opportunity, but a necessity.
Green Steel is not just a product, but a movement towards a more sustainable future in steel manufacturing, aligning with the goals of companies and consumers who prioritise environmental responsibility.
By embracing green steel, Steel Dynamics can solidify our role in the steel industry of tomorrow - one where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.