How Steel Manufacturing Can Be More Environmentally Sustainable

You may not think at first, but steel is a very sustainable material. This may seem counterintuitive to the mining processes required to create steel, but the great thing is, once steel has been created, it can be recycled infinitely. This means that the non-renewable resources required to make steel never go to waste.

But what about the manufacturing process? Can we make it more sustainable to be in line with sustainable steel?

The Steel Manufacturing Process

The steel manufacturing process involves several stages. The first is, of course, extracting raw materials from the ground. These materials then require transportation, processing, and distribution to steel factories

These first steps are among the most environmentally impactful. They can affect air and water quality, produce greenhouse gas emissions, and create waste. However, by implementing more conscious practices and technologies, the steel manufacturing process can be more environmentally friendly and create more sustainable steel.

Making Use of Recycled Scrap Metal

One way to make steel production more environmentally friendly is to use recycled scrap metal. Recycled scrap metal reduces the need for extracting and processing raw materials, which in turn decreases energy consumption and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, recycling reduces waste generation, as scrap metal that would otherwise end up in landfills is repurposed into new steel products.

Improved Energy Efficiency

Another way to reduce the environmental impact of steel production and create sustainable steel is to improve energy efficiency. The steel industry is a significant energy consumer, with energy use accounting for approximately 20% – 40% of the industry’s production costs. 

By implementing energy-efficient technologies and practices – such as improving insulation, optimising equipment, and utilising renewable energy sources – energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced and lead to sustainable steel.

Sustainable Sourcing Practices

Steel manufacturers can also adopt sustainable sourcing practices for raw materials. For example, instead of extracting iron ore from environmentally sensitive areas, steel companies can source from mines with lower environmental impacts. Additionally, sustainable forestry practices can be used for producing charcoal, which is used as a fuel in the steel production process.

Improved Waste Management

Waste management is also crucial in making the steel manufacturing process more environmentally friendly and creating sustainable steel. Steel manufacturers can implement waste reduction practices, such as minimising water usage, reusing waste heat, and recycling process water. On top of this, waste generated during the production process can be treated and recycled, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Be More Mindful Of The Surrounding Environment

Finally, steel manufacturers can work to minimise their impact on surrounding communities by implementing measures to reduce air and water pollution. For example, the use of advanced emission control technologies, such as scrubbers and filters, can significantly reduce the amount of pollutants emitted into the air and water.

The best way to ensure sustainable steel is to make use of all the practices we mentioned above. If you’re looking for steel products in Australia, our steel products meet Australian quality standards and specifications and can be used by private and commercial sectors alike. Talk to our team today for a quote.