The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is taking part in Resource 2016, an event focused on the circular economy and taking place in London between 8-10 March.
At the event, worldsteel launched Steel – the Permanent Material in the Circular Economy, which highlights how steel enables a sustainable circular economy in which society reduces the burden on nature by ensuring resources remain in use as long as possible. This is achieved by reducing the amount of raw materials consumed, re-using products, re-manufacturing them and only then, when they reach the end of life, sending the steel to be recycled into new steel.
“We believe that in the sustainable future, new economic models will maximise the value of raw materials by encouraging practices such as reducing, re-using, re-manufacturing and recycling. These are all fundamental advantages of using steel and explain why steel is an integral part of the global circular economy,” said Dr. Edwin Basson, director-general of worldsteel.
He added that the steel industry continues to expand its offer of advanced high strength steels which reduce the weight of applications and encourage circular economy practices. “This will ensure optimal resource efficiency and in return bring significant benefits to our society including durable products, local jobs, reduced emissions and the conservation of raw materials for future generations,” he said.