Steel Scrap Markets in Europe and the USA

Söderholm, Patrik; Ejdemo, Thomas

doi:10.1080/14041040802018497

Cited by 18 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Scrap recycling is facilitated by the physical properties of steel as a material, since it can be almost indefinitely recycled without losing its properties (EUROFER 2016). Secondary steel production using an electric arc furnace (EAF) has economic and environmental advantages in comparison to the primary steel production route using blast oxygen furnaces, implying lower energy costs and fewer steps along the process chain (Söderholm and Ejdemo 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weighing regional scrap availability in global pathways for steel production processes

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study analyses the impact of the rising availability of steel scrap on the future steel production up to the year 2100 and implications for steel production capacity planning. Steel production processes are energy, resource, and emission intensive, but there are significant variations due to different production routes, product mixes, and processes. This analysis is based on the development of steel demand, using the Steel Optimization Model, which provides a region-detailed representation of technologies, energy and material flows, and trade activities. It is linked to the Scrap Availability Assessment Model which estimates the theoretical steel scrap availability. Aggregated crude steel production is estimated to evolve into an almost balanced split by 2050 between the primary production route using iron ore in the blast oven furnace and the secondary route using mostly steel scrap in the electric arc furnace. By 2060, the share of secondary steel production will exceed the share of primary steel production globally. The results also estimate a global increase in scrap use from 611 Mtonnes in 2015 to 1500 Mtonnes in 2050, with the highest growth being for postconsumer scrap. In 2050, almost 50% of postconsumer scrap is expected to be traded, with the main exporter being China and major importing regions being Africa, India, and other developing Asian countries. The results provide valuable insights on scrap availability and capacity development at the regional level for producers contemplating new investments. Regional availability, quality, and trade patterns of scrap will influence production route choices, possibly in favor of secondary routes. Also, policy instruments such as carbon taxation may affect investment choices and favor more energyefficient and less carbon-intensive emerging technologies.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weighing regional scrap availability in global pathways for steel production processes

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A recent study by Daehn et al (2017) suggests that copper contamination is unlikely to constrain global steel recycling rates as long as free trade in scrap allows contaminated scrap to be recycled where there is a high demand for construction products. Consistently, Söderholm and Ejdemo (2008) and Gesing (2004) all argue that unrestricted international trade is needed to ensure that scrap flows to appropriate uses. A recent European Union funded report on the prospect of a European CE identified copper contamination of steel scrap as a major barrier to being able to recycle European EOL scrap for use within Europe's borders (Material Economics, 2018).…”

Section: Barriers To Increased Steel Recyclingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential for material circularity and independence in the U.S. steel sector

Cooper

Ryan

Syndergaard

et al. 2020

J of Industrial Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Achieving a U.S. circular economy would reduce environmental impacts and increase material independence. This article calculates maximum recycled contents (RCs) and recycling rates (RRs) in an independent U.S. steel sector, and estimates the potential to displace current imports with recycled scrap that is currently destined for landfill, hibernating stocks, or export (LHSE). A U.S. dynamic material flow analysis (1880-2100) is conducted to estimate annual steel consumption and scrap generation. The results are coupled with a linear optimization model that minimizes primary steel demand while satisfying the volumetric and compositional demands of new consumption. The compositional analysis examines only copper content because it is of greatest concern to recyclers. The best estimate is that the maximum independent RR is already constrained by copper contamination. Without interventions, this maximum RR will gradually decline throughout the century. The annual consumption to scrap availability ratio (C2SR) will decrease from around 1.4 today. Concurrently, the maximum RC rises but then plateaus below 75% as the RR falls. This highlights a conflict in the conditions for a circular economy: a C2SR approaching unity is a necessary condition for a high RC but leads to fewer opportunities for scrap contaminant dilution, which decreases the RR. Improved product design for recycling and deployment of scrap refining technologies will be needed to reach higher RCs. In 2017, the mass of U.S. scrap destined for LHSE exceeded direct steel imports. Domestic recycling of scrap exports alone could have displaced

show abstract

“…They found that impurities due to inadequate sorting and classification and lax scrap preparation methods become pathways for these impurities to enter the melt. In addition, scrap steel is a traded commodity [84][85][86] and thus scrap generated in one location may be processed elsewhere. Numerous sources and little traceability mean that recycling actors lack information on composition, production, and utilization history ultimately impacting the recyclability of scrap.…”

Section: Scrap Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Quality is linked to its acceptability for steelmaking [96]. Furthermore, the quality rating of scrap is usually regarded as a function of its chemical profileeither the degree to which its composition is known and similar to the steel being produced [84,97,98] or its cleanness, i.e., low degree of contamination [22,67,[99][100][101][102]. Noro et al also discuss the association between scrap shape (heavy, shredded, or pressed) and contamination, as heavy pieces are assumed to be less contaminated because these were traditionally made from ore [92].…”

Section: Expands Onmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circular Steel: How Information and Actor Incentives Impact the Recyclability of Scrap

Compañero

Feldmann

Tilliander

2021

J. Sustain. Metall.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recycling plays a vital role in preserving resources like steel and consequently in a circular economy. Scrap dealers and steel mills, the main business units in this system, often encounter opposing financial and sustainability incentives in using scrap as feedstock because regular sorting and scrap-preparation infrastructure cannot deal with the increasing complexity of steel scrap. Mismatches between the inputs and the target composition of the recycled steel result in trade-offs that favor the economics at the expense of resource efficiency. By examining literature and interviewing several actors, different scrap characteristics were identified as dimensions of scrap quality. Quality is typically associated with chemical composition, which is important, but this study aims to elaborate the concept of quality further and to connect it to the realities of scrapyard operations. Industry actors have different definitions for desired content, physical condition, shape and size, and homogeneity, based on their needs. Very few studies examine these details. Additionally, the relationship of quality and the level of information about the characteristics of the material was established. Having more definitive information on scrap increases opportunities for resource-efficient actions. This work offers an alternative perspective on how to address issues pertinent to recycling. Graphical Abstract

show abstract

Steel Scrap Markets in Europe and the USA

Cited by 18 publications

References 17 publications

Weighing regional scrap availability in global pathways for steel production processes

Weighing regional scrap availability in global pathways for steel production processes

The potential for material circularity and independence in the U.S. steel sector

Circular Steel: How Information and Actor Incentives Impact the Recyclability of Scrap

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About