04 Nov 2021

BCSA welcomes British Steel’s Low-Carbon Roadmap

The British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) has welcomed British Steel’s Low-Carbon Roadmap, hailing it an “ambitious plan” that supports the 3 legs of sustainability.

The company’s Low-Carbon Roadmap, issued early last month, outlines its commitment to achieving net-zero status through embracing innovative technology and new ways of working.

Speaking after a series of industry engagement sessions held recently by British Steel’s Construction Commercial Director Ben Cunliffe and Environment & Sustainability Director Lee Adcock, BCSA Chief Executive Officer David Moore said: “I think this is a solid foundation and sets out the direction of travel.

“I fully agree with the science-based approach that you’ve adopted, and I’m pleased to see that not only are you taking into account the legal targets for 2035 and 2050 but that you are looking to go beyond them, recognising the customer non-government targets, which are in some cases more onerous.”

To help achieve its net-zero targets, British Steel will use a range of techniques and innovations including:

• Assessing and adopting several technology options such as Carbon Capture and Storage, hydrogen, increasing scrap utilisation and Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking
• Steel product innovation to promote the material benefits to end users, for example through weight savings in buildings and life extension
• Supporting recycling and reuse, for instance using increased levels of scrap in its steelmaking process and encouraging re-use of steel products at the end of life, where appropriate
• Deploying circular economy and material efficiency methodologies

David continued: “I welcome the hybrid approach to retaining Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) production, although with increased scrap content, and introducing a new Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). This, combined with carbon capture and storage, will deliver a massive 82% carbon reduction by 2035.

“The resultant material will not only have low-embodied carbon but, through design efficiencies, can also retain benefits such as a high strength-to-weight ratio. This will further reduce carbon levels in buildings, giving us a material that we can use with confidence in constructional steelwork.

“What British Steel is doing supports the 3 legs of sustainability. It supports not just the carbon aspect, but also the economy and society in general. It’s helping the UK economy and supporting local jobs, helping us to build back better.”

Ben said: “Tackling climate change isn’t easy but we’re committed to working closely with the whole Constructional steelwork industry to decarbonise as efficiently as we can.”