The UK is killing its primary steel industry in the name of Net Zero, with no effect on world carbon emissions which simply move overseas. Britain loses the jobs and destroys its economy for nothing.
Even though there are new innovations in recycling technologies, better scrap collection systems and alloy sorting systems are rapidly improving, the rate of advance is still not enough. The point you've raised, along with the issue of "energy density," will be a significant concern in the years ahead. Excellent post—thank you!
Isn't there room to increase the recycling %? In the US nearly 70% of steel is recycled vs 56% in Europe and only 22% in China. And the US is actually a scrap steel net exporter.
I remember doing a bit of research in this a while ago as I was looking at ASTL. The impression I got is that EU and especially Chinese recycling is rather underdeveloped compared to the US. Quick collection of quality steel after disuse is especially important and the logistics infrastructure to collect this steel is rather undeveloped outside the US.
I agree it is ridiculous that politicians have been promoting all these green measures that require a lot of electricity (like electric cars and heat pumps) and already in 2024 there are electricity shortages everywhere with no quick action plans to mitigate that. Short sightedness at its best. Energy ministers in charge are often complete ideological muppets with zero practical knowledge.
Its also absurd that electricity shortages will only be reduced in a decade, it takes 1-3 years to build a gas plant. EAF can reduce emissions by 75-85% vs a coal blast furnace, so if I am right and used steel collection is underdeveloped in Europe they could within a couple of years create a massive reduction in emissions by being a little bit pragmatic.
But since that would look bad in head lines (as it would require building a fossil fuel plant and probably giving the steel plant a energy tax exemption) there is no political will to do it.
The numbers you quote are the percentages of steel that is made from scrap compared to total steel production. They do not reflect the amount of steel scrap that is used versus the steel scrap that could be made available.
Steel is the world's most recycled material with recovery rates over 97%.
Once used, steel stays in place for many years, the available scrap is only the steel in structures, vehicles, equipment etc. that has reached the end of its first life, it is only that steel that was first used many years ago.
Even though there are new innovations in recycling technologies, better scrap collection systems and alloy sorting systems are rapidly improving, the rate of advance is still not enough. The point you've raised, along with the issue of "energy density," will be a significant concern in the years ahead. Excellent post—thank you!
Isn't there room to increase the recycling %? In the US nearly 70% of steel is recycled vs 56% in Europe and only 22% in China. And the US is actually a scrap steel net exporter.
I remember doing a bit of research in this a while ago as I was looking at ASTL. The impression I got is that EU and especially Chinese recycling is rather underdeveloped compared to the US. Quick collection of quality steel after disuse is especially important and the logistics infrastructure to collect this steel is rather undeveloped outside the US.
I agree it is ridiculous that politicians have been promoting all these green measures that require a lot of electricity (like electric cars and heat pumps) and already in 2024 there are electricity shortages everywhere with no quick action plans to mitigate that. Short sightedness at its best. Energy ministers in charge are often complete ideological muppets with zero practical knowledge.
Its also absurd that electricity shortages will only be reduced in a decade, it takes 1-3 years to build a gas plant. EAF can reduce emissions by 75-85% vs a coal blast furnace, so if I am right and used steel collection is underdeveloped in Europe they could within a couple of years create a massive reduction in emissions by being a little bit pragmatic.
But since that would look bad in head lines (as it would require building a fossil fuel plant and probably giving the steel plant a energy tax exemption) there is no political will to do it.
The numbers you quote are the percentages of steel that is made from scrap compared to total steel production. They do not reflect the amount of steel scrap that is used versus the steel scrap that could be made available.
Steel is the world's most recycled material with recovery rates over 97%.
Once used, steel stays in place for many years, the available scrap is only the steel in structures, vehicles, equipment etc. that has reached the end of its first life, it is only that steel that was first used many years ago.
Thanks - very informative. Sorry to see UK going further down the wrong path, and sorry for the lost jobs.