World Stainless Association Report Highlights Recycling’s Role in Carbon Reduction

Stainless Steel

The World Stainless Association, headquartered in Brussels, recently published a report detailing the stainless steel industry’s carbon emissions and advocating for the environmental benefits of using recycled metals. The analysis, which compares emissions from high-scrap-content stainless steel production with traditional nickel pig iron (NPI) methods, underscores that increased recycling could significantly reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

According to the report, a stainless steel mill using 85% scrap feedstock produces an average of 1.95 tons of CO2 per ton of metal. Emissions, however, rise as the percentage of scrap decreases: the mill using 75% scrap produces 2.45 tons of CO2 per ton, while the mill with only 30% scrap emits a significant 6.8 tons of CO2 per ton. This correlation emphasizes the emissions reduction potential inherent in scrap-based production.

Nonetheless, the association highlights a global challenge, “Although 95 percent of stainless steel scrap is collected for recycling at the end of life, there is not enough stainless steel scrap available globally, therefore these production routes will co-exist for the foreseeable future.”

Looking ahead, the association projects that emissions from NPI production will decrease as greener technologies become more prevalent. “Like any other major industry, the stainless steel industry consistently endeavors to reduce its operational CO2 emissions year-on-year,” states the association, citing consistent improvements over the past decade.

The report also underscores stainless steel’s potential advantages from a life cycle perspective. In applications like reusable water bottles, stainless steel demonstrates long-term carbon savings. While stainless steel bottles have higher initial emissions compared to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, their durability—often over 20 years—offsets the need for frequent replacements, making them a lower-emission option over time.

Visit www.worldstainless.org to access the full report.