EMR Reusable Steels recently received the Recycled Product of the Year award at the MRW National Recycling Awards for its steel sections - removed from end-of-life buildings and reused in new projects - said to offer a 97.5% carbon reduction compared to virgin steel sections.
By eliminating the need for mining iron ore, long distance transportation and remelting, the company claims it cuts the embedded carbon in its material from 1,850kg CO2e per tonne (the World Steel Association’s global average for steelmaking) to 47kg CO2e per tonne. Reportedly, the sustainability benefits of the material have been verified by third-party environmental assessment organisations, and EMR Reusable Steels was granted a ‘world-first’ Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in 2023 for an ultra-low carbon reusable steel.
The company opened a new site this year in Coventry, UK, as part of its aim to create a nationwide network of facilities by 2030. Projects already utilizing its steel sections include the redevelopment of One Exchange Square near St Paul’s Cathedral, the redevelopment of Elephant & Castle and the newly refurbished 76 Southbank, all in London.
On receiving the award, Rob Palmer, general manager for EMR Reusable Steels, said: “Steel use represents the vast majority of embedded carbon associated with many new building projects, yet – as developers seek ways to decarbonize – it remains an essential building material because of its durability, strength and adaptability.
“Achieving this sought-after award – in a category filled with so many other groundbreaking products – is clear recognition from the judges as to both the impact this material is already having and the potential it has to transform the construction industry in the decades to come.”
This summer we asked thyssenkrupp - a finalist in this year’s Sustainability Awards - about its CO2-reduced tinplate entry, aiming to reduce emissions in the packaging steel process and nominated in the Commercialized Climate category. The company’s bluemint Steel uses a manufacturing process said to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 69% compared to conventional tinplate.
In October, Nestlé France, Le Fourgon, Circolution, and Bocoloco announced they would provide returnable stainless steel containers for bite-sized KitKat and Lion chocolates, in an effort to reduce the amount of single-use plastics on the confectionery market. Part of a six-month trial in the Hauts-de-France region, KitKat Ball and Lion Pops chocolates will be available in stainless steel containers from Circolution.
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