That’s because about 45% of stainless steel is produced using nickel pig iron and other ferro alloys as the main input materials.
Producing these materials requires a significant amount of energy.
This means, that in order to minimise their CO2e footprint, stainless steel producers can use two levers either separately or in combination:
• Maximise the use of low-carbon materials, in particular scrap
• Maximise the energy efficiency of our process
• Maximise the use of green energy
Because most producers use energy generated by burning coal, they generate very high CO2e emissions and large amounts of residual waste.
By comparison, European stainless steel is produced from scrap – up to 90%* for Aperam Stainless Europe – melted in electric furnaces. This process results in a much lower level of CO2e emissions and has a minimal environmental impact.
Aperam South America is also combining a significant scrap use and high rate of clean energy with 100% renewable charcoal-based pig iron**
* for our European austenitic stainless steel grades
** eucalypt-based charcoal replacing extractive coke in the iron-making process
Aperam has created a model* to estimate the CO2e emissions linked to
imported material.
In 2022, 1,600 kt of stainless steel was imported, which could be converted to 12.1 mt
of CO2e (scope 1+2+3a).
Producing that same volume in Europe would have resulted in a saving of 9 mt on the same scope.
*Estimate based on Aperam’s market intelligence and available EU import statistics.
Use the Carbon Calculator opposite to estimate the carbon footprint of your planned stainless steel imports - and see how much CO2e emissions you could save by buying local.
Simply enter the type and amount of product to be imported, along with the originating country, and the calculator will work out the CO2e footprint of imported stainless steel.
*Based on Aperam’s knowledge of the processes used by stainless steel producers worldwide. Scope 1+2+3a (including shipping to Europe).
CO2e of imported stainless:
0 t
CO2e saving if you buy from
Aperam Stainless Europe:
0 t
CO2e saving if you buy from
Aperam South America:
0 t
If you’re interested in reducing the carbon footprint of the stainless steel in your final products, let's talk.
