Technical University of Berlin (Berlin, Germany):

Neugebauer S., Mag. Econ.-Eng., Scientifi c Researcher
Finkbeiner M., Prof., Dr., Head of the Chair of Sustainable Engineering

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG (Duisburg, Germany):

Volkhausen W., Dr. Eng., Sr. Manager Environment Protection, Division of Environment and Climate protection

Salzgitter AG (Salzgitter, Germany):

Mecke S., Dr. Eng., Division of Environment Protection and Energy Policy

“Steel” Economical Union (Düsseldorf, Germany):

Endemann G., Mag. Eng., Head of Political Dept., e-mail: gerhard.endemann@vdeh.de

Impacts on humans and ecosystems caused by the production of materials and goods are often discussed in nowadays society and policy. The steel industry already implemented several case studies in life cycle assessment. In this connection a new method to assess the environmental profile of steel has been developed in cooperation of TU Berlin and Stahl-Zentrum, which considers the infinite recyclability of steel in a holistic manner. The project aimed on a material pool based evaluation of the material. Within the life cycle assessment model, the two main production routes for steel — the blast furnace route and the electric arc furnace route — are covered and equally modelled. The method has been explicitly developed in a way that allows its transfer and application to other materials, too, on the condition that corresponding secondary material can be introduced in general fund of materials and can be applied for recycling without deterioration of quality. It helps to reflect transfer of material with account of its effect on the environment during several life cycles. Multi-recycling approach helps to prepare the ecological material profile based on information about all recycling processes of this material. Therefore, the actual greenhouse steel potential makes less than 1 t of carbon dioxide equivalent per 1 ton of hot-rolled steel and, respectively, appr. 60% compared with simple primary steel production without account of recycling.

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