BIR Valencia 2025 is fast approaching! Ferrous Division announces programme: The environmental edge of recycled steel
The environmental edge of recycled steel
At the upcoming BIR World Recycling Convention in Valencia, the Ferrous Division plenary session chaired by divisional President Shane Mellor will take a deep dive into the environmental benefits of recycled steel – a crucial element in the global push for decarbonisation. Building on the discussions from Singapore on Green Steel, this session will expand the conversation to include emissions, energy, water, and land savings, offering a holistic perspective on the sustainability of steel recycling.
With over 90% of global steel production now originating from countries with significant decarbonisation commitments, the demand for low-carbon materials is at an all-time high. Recyclers are positioned as key suppliers in this transformation, and our industry must be prepared to showcase its vital role with comprehensive data that quantifies our environmental impact.
A first presentation by Daniel Pietikaïnen, BIR Trade & Environment Policy Officer, will provide an exclusive look at BIR’s ground breaking new study with KPMG, which presents fresh data on the environmental savings generated by recycled materials, particularly ferrous metals. We will explore the methodology and findings behind this research, demonstrating how these insights can be leveraged in BIR’s advocacy campaigns to influence global policy and drive greater adoption of recycled steel.
Subsequently, Prof. Frank Pothen, Professor of economics at the University of Applied Sciences in Jena (Germany), will further analyse the data, connecting it with international studies and highlighting key trends. With over a decade of experience, his work focuses on steel recycling, the steel industry, and global value chains. His research has been published in leading journals such as European Economic Review, Energy Economics, and Ecological Economics. In his presentation, Prof. Pothen will focus on policy recommendations that support recyclers, incentivise the use of recycled steel, and drive technological innovation. He will also explore how advancements in AI and automation are transforming the industry – offering a preview of what’s to come in our next session in October, where we will spotlight AI and automation in steel recycling.
The session will also feature the release of the 16th edition of BIR’s recycled steel statistics “World Steel Recycling in Figures” by Rolf Willeke, Ferrous Division Statistics Advisor.
Join us for an insightful discussion that underscores the critical role of recycled steel in a sustainable future, equipping policymakers, businesses, and industry leaders with the data and strategies needed to drive real change.
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