The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) calls for a scientific and fair "Green Steel" standard system.
The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) recently released a position paper emphasizing the urgent need for fairer and more transparent assessment criteria within the current "Green Steel" certification system to truly reflect the carbon emissions of different production processes and fully demonstrate the critical value of scrap steel recycling in the steel industry's low-carbon transition.
Current Standards Flawed
BIR points out that the "sliding scale" or "benchmark value" approach currently used in some "Green Steel" certification programs is clearly irrational:
It may certify high-emission steel produced through the blast furnace-converter process as "green."
It underestimates the carbon reduction benefits of the electric furnace (EAF) process.
It lacks an accurate assessment of the carbon reduction contribution of scrap steel recycling.
Data Comparison
Research shows that the scrap steel + electric arc furnace (EAF) process can reduce carbon emissions by 74% compared to the traditional blast furnace process. However, the current standards fail to fully reflect this advantage, resulting in:
√ Weakened market competitiveness of low-carbon steel
√ Potential misalignment in public procurement policies
√ Misaligned incentives for industry emission reductions.
Key Recommendations
Susie Burrage, Chairperson of the Bureau of International Recycling The OBE emphasizes that scientific "green steel" standards should:
Use a full life cycle assessment (LCA) approach
Establish minimum standards for scrap steel usage (especially for public construction projects);
Improve the global scrap steel trade system and eliminate trade barriers;
Increase investment in scrap steel recycling infrastructure
Industry Impact
As an international organization covering five major sectors, including steel and non-ferrous metals, BIR specifically warns:
Restricting scrap steel trade will slow global carbon reduction progress;
A certification system based on field-proven data is needed;
Policy incentives should be used to promote the use of recycled steel
Action suggestions for the steel industry
Improve carbon footprint data collection systems
Optimize scrap steel procurement and use strategies
Participate in industry standard development discussions
(Picture shows the launch ceremony of the China Iron and Steel Association's group standard "Low-Carbon Emission Steel Evaluation Method" at the 2024 China Green Development Digital Supply Chain Conference.）
(Data source: Bureau of International Recycling official documents, for reference only. Specific implementation of standards should be subject to the latest policies of each country.)
