The challenge we face
The world faces enormous challenges in the 21st century: from climate change to increasing pressures on natural resources, from the lifestyle expectations of those in the developed world to tackling poverty at the base of the pyramid in emerging markets. These issues have a direct impact on businesses as well as governments, civil society, and individuals.
Businesses are expected to report more openly, act more responsibly, protect the environment, and support their local communities. All of these factors pose risks to companies as large as ours if we fail to manage them. But they also present us with enormous opportunities from the commercial potential of new greener products to the innovation potential of a new generation of people entering our industry.
Related news and technical articles
Why does Forster choose Magnelis® for its doors, windows, and facades?
5 July 2022Forster Profilsysteme is a world-leading supplier of steel profiles for doors, windows, and facades. The company utilises Magnelis® from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products to create its all-steel solutions which are free of plastics. The self-healing properties of Magnelis® offer exceptional corrosion protection during transport and storage of the profiles. Welding operations are also simplified with Magnelis®, enabling Forster to create high-quality and durable profiles. To enhance the sustainability of its operations, Forster is currently building a state-of-the-art headquarters which will bring together production, administration, and sales. And wherever possible, they’re utilising ArcelorMittal steels.
Product newsEgersund Port in Norway will be expanded using ArcelorMittal’s low emissions sheet piles
21 June 2022A major fishing port expansion programme in Egersund, Norway will be built using 2200 tonnes of ArcelorMittal’s unique straight web steel sheet piles, manufactured in Belval, Luxembourg.
Project newsStene Stål stocks XCarb® recycled and renewably produced
14 June 2022Norwegian steel distributor Stene Stål Produkter AS aims to be the first European distributor to only stock open steel sections that have been made with low emissions. Open sections include large beams and piles, which are mainly used in construction, down to smaller products including rails, rods, and bars.
Industry newsBenbow Steels becomes first UK supplier to buy XCarb® Green steel certificates
5 May 2022Benbow Steels, an independent supplier of prepainted steels, has become the first ArcelorMittal customer in the United Kingdom to buy XCarb® Green steel certificates. Benbow Steels will make the certificates available to their final customers so they can reduce the Scope 3 emissions of their projects.
Industry news
Why does Forster choose Magnelis® for its doors, windows, and facades?
Forster Profilsysteme is a world-leading supplier of steel profiles for doors, windows, and facades. The company utilises Magnelis® from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products to create its all-steel solutions which are free of plastics. The self-healing properties of Magnelis® offer exceptional corrosion protection during transport and storage of the profiles. Welding operations are also simplified with Magnelis®, enabling Forster to create high-quality and durable profiles. To enhance the sustainability of its operations, Forster is currently building a state-of-the-art headquarters which will bring together production, administration, and sales. And wherever possible, they’re utilising ArcelorMittal steels.
Timeless, sustainable, robust
“We see steel as a timeless, sustainable, robust, and durable product which gives us the opportunity to offer a globally unique profile which is entirely made from steel,” says Willi Lüchinger, CEO of the Forster Group. “Unlike other profile makers, Forster does not use a plastic web to connect the two half-shells of a profile. Instead, we use a specially designed stainless-steel web. This improves the recyclability of the product, and its stability, without restricting the thermal properties of the system.”
Magnelis® offers easy weldability and protection
Forster has offered Magnelis® solutions since they became aware of the unique steel coating in 2015. “In our business, the zinc-aluminium-magnesium Magnelis® coating is primarily there to provide corrosion protection in transport and storage,” says Willi Lüchinger, CEO of the Forster Group. “But the biggest benefit of Magnelis® to us is the quality of the welding process. It is almost as easy to weld as black steel.”
The company sees the innovative strength of ArcelorMittal and the relationship as central advantages says Willi Lüchinger: “ArcelorMittal products such as Magnelis®, and initiatives such as XCarb®, show that the partnership is based on a common mindset. They are also an important building block in realising our own ambitions for even more mindful and sustainable use of our world’s resources.”
Sustainability is a key driver in Forster’s business as Willi Lüchinger explains: “Dealing with resources in a mindful way is part of our DNA. We are currently undergoing a company-wide process to evaluate where and how we can reduce our carbon footprint further, and ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® initiative is part of that discussion. Obtaining XCarb® green steel certificates for the steel we buy from ArcelorMittal could be a game changer, and a major step towards a greener future.”
Solutions deployed in new builds and renovations
Forster products have been deployed in both new builds and renovation projects, and their profiles are sold around the world though Europe remains the company’s leading market. Most of Forster’s main system profiles are made from flat steels supplied by ArcelorMittal.
The main customers for Forster’s products are metal fabricators who create profiles based on the designs of architects and building owners. The profiles are turned into window, door, or facade solutions by specialist fabricators. “We train the fabricators in the optimal processing techniques for our systems and provide technical support,” notes Willi Lüchinger.
With sustainability and the future firmly in mind, Forster has begun construction of a new headquarters in Romanshorn, Switzerland. “It will be known as the Forster Campus and includes a new showroom, training and customer centre, offices, and production. The facade of the office building, all doors and windows, and all glazed partition walls are made from our products – hence they contain a lot of flat steel from ArcelorMittal.”
About Forster Profilsysteme
Forster is an internationally renowned supplier of high-quality steel doors, windows, and facades. Founded in 1874, Forster has transformed from being a steel profile manufacturer to a world-leading system supplier. In 2024, the company will move its headquarters to a new purpose-built facility in Romanshorn, Switzerland.
More info: www.forster-profile.ch
Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia
Images:
© Forster
© Forster, Damian Poffet
© Forster, Roman Keller
© Forster, We are Contents / Stéphane Aboudaram
Related link(s)
Egersund Port in Norway will be expanded using ArcelorMittal’s low emissions sheet piles
A major fishing port expansion programme in Egersund, Norway will be built using 2200 tonnes of ArcelorMittal’s unique straight web steel sheet piles, manufactured in Belval, Luxembourg.
A new quay wall: a circular cell structure made of straight web steel sheet piles
The containment structure, for food manufacturer Pelagia AS, will be created with ArcelorMittal AS500 sheet piles and will eventually be used as a new quay wall as part of the port expansion. The circular cell structure of the straight web steel sheet piles was considered the most appropriate solution as it will collect the sand dredged from the seabed to cope with the increased vessel traffic. It will store it safely and avoid any pollution of the sea water by the sand.
To reduce the total carbon footprint of the project, the structure is being assembled using ArcelorMittal's new EcoSheetPile™ Plus range of sheet piling, made from 100% recycled steel and with 100% renewable electricity – part of ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewably produced range.
A success story for the client and for the environment
Pelagia AS is a leading producer of pelagic fish products for human consumption and an important supplier of essential ingredients in all kinds of fish and animal feed. Located in one of Norway’s largest and most important fishing harbours, Pelagia Egersund Seafood has been a pioneer fish processing factory since 1993. A new fishing terminal is being built to expand their operation in Egersund, based on a circular cell structure that will be filled up with sand dredged from the seabed. The main contractor for this project is Vestbetong, while Fundamentering AS is the sheet pile driving contractor.
ArcelorMittal’s hot rolled steel sheet piles have been used to build maritime infrastructures for more than 100 years. Based on their long-term experience, steel structures in a marine environment can be designed for a service life of 50 years and even more.
A key differentiator that convinced the client to choose an ArcelorMittal steel solution for this expansion project is the availability of the low carbon footprint EcoSheetPile™ Plus range. Made from 100% recycled steel (scrap) and exclusively with renewable electricity from wind and solar sources, these products are part of the XCarb® recycled and renewably produced range. XCarb™ groups all of ArcelorMittal's initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Certified by a specific Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), the production of the EcoSheetPile™ Plus range emits as low as 370 kg CO2-eq./t of steel produced. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) shows that the embedded carbon footprint of EcoSheetPile™ Plus is one-fifth of that achieved by traditional products.
EcoSheetPile™ Plus as part of the XCarb™ initiative towards carbon neutral steel
Decarbonisation is one of the most important aspects of ArcelorMittal’s long-term strategy. For several years already, the EcoSheetPile™ range has been produced in Luxembourg via the Electric Arc Furnace route from 100% recycled steel. ArcelorMittal steel sheet piles can also be reused up to 10 times and thus are a major contributor to the circular economy.
Launched in 2021, the new EcoSheetPile™ Plus brand, an essential part of ArcelorMittal’s XCarb™ initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, goes one step further on the decarbonisation path: not only are these steel sheet piles produced from 100% recycled material, but the steelmaking process to produce them uses 100% renewable electricity from wind and solar sources connected to the same grid as the ArcelorMittal production mills.
Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia
Images:
© Vestbetong AS
Related link(s)
Stene Stål stocks XCarb® recycled and renewably produced
Norwegian steel distributor Stene Stål Produkter AS aims to be the first European distributor to only stock open steel sections that have been made with low emissions. Open sections include large beams and piles, which are mainly used in construction, down to smaller products including rails, rods, and bars.
The low global warming potential of ArcelorMittal steel benefits our customers
Stene Stål’s extensive range will have a global warming potential (GWP) below 400kg CO2 a tonne, starting with IPE, HEA, and HEB sections. Driven by their own strategy to provide a faster and more effective response to climate change, and motivated by growing political concerns in Norway, Stene Stål’s ambition is to convert their entire stock of sections within 2022, taking full advantage of ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewably produced beams from the company’s Luxemburgish mills in Belval and Differdange that meet these stringent CO2 requirements.
With GWP values of 333kg CO2 per tonne of steel products [1] (cradle to gate or A1-A3), the XCarb® recycled and renewably produced sections clearly match the ambition of Stene Stål. This figure, achieved through ArcelorMittal's efforts to use up to 100% scrap and electricity from solar and wind power sources, is being passed on to our customer in turn giving them a competitive advantage.
Looking forward to future cooperation
Tove Aspeng, Purchasing manager of Stene Stål, is looking forward to future cooperation: “XCarb® recycled and renewably produced – and low emissions steel – is an excellent measure towards countering climate change, and one that is beneficial for ourselves, our customers, as well as the climate."
About Stene Stål Produkter AS
Stene Stål is predominantly dedicated to steel constructors, which is reflected in their wide product range and length assortment. They are certified in accordance to the EN 1090 norm that regulates the fabrication and assembly of steel structures for the construction market. In addition, they have facilities for automatic priming up to 23m lengths. Linked with XCarb™ values, they are now able to offer specific project EPDs including A4, for each beam delivered to site.
Want to know more about XCarb™?
The XCarb™ initiative, launched by ArcelorMittal in March 2021, brings together all of ArcelorMittal’s reduced-, low-, and zero-carbon products and steelmaking activities.
To produce XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel, ArcelorMittal uses up to 100% scrap and renewable electricity coming from renewable sources such as solar and wind power. ArcelorMittal estimates that XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel has a carbon footprint as low as 0.3 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel product when the metallics are 100% scrap, which is certified by a published Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
The ArcelorMittal XCarb™ initiatives also include XCarb® green steel certificates which are specifically designed for ArcelorMittal’s steel products made from iron ore in a blast furnace. They are based on real CO2 savings as well as wider initiatives which reduce ArcelorMittal’s carbon footprint. ArcelorMittal can add up these important CO2 savings and then pass them onto our customers in the form of a certificate, which has been verified by an independent auditor.
[1] Environmental Product Declaration for XCarb® recycled and renewably produced structural steel sections and merchant bars in ArcelorMittal Europe certifies a global warming potential of 333kg of CO2 per tonne of steel product when the metallics are 100% scrap.
Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia
Images:
© Stene Stål
Related link(s)
Benbow Steels becomes first UK supplier to buy XCarb® Green steel certificates
Benbow Steels, an independent supplier of prepainted steels, has become the first ArcelorMittal customer in the United Kingdom to buy XCarb® Green steel certificates. Benbow Steels will make the certificates available to their final customers so they can reduce the Scope 3 emissions of their projects.
Proud to partner with ArcelorMittal Europe on this revolutionary initiative
“We are delighted to be the first supplier in the UK to be able to offer ArcelorMittal’s innovative XCarb® Green steel certificates,” says Simon Benbow, Managing Director of Benbow Steels. “We are proud to partner with ArcelorMittal Europe on this revolutionary initiative which will help the steel industry get to net-zero emissions by 2050.”
The certificates will accompany Benbow Steels’ orders of organic coated steels from ArcelorMittal’s Granite® HDX range. The prepainted Granite® HDX steels are typically supplied by Benbow Steels for a variety of applications including the construction and HVAC industries.
“XCarb® Green steel certificates provide a fantastic way for our customers to play their part in delivering net zero,” says Samantha from Benbow Steels. “As the savings represented by the certificates are independently verified, this gives everyone in our supply chain peace of mind.”
About Benbow Steels
Benbow Steels supplies a wide range of prepainted steels to the UK and Ireland. Offering 24-hour delivery as standard, the company prides itself on its exceptional service levels. They have two bespoke, state-of-the-art blanking lines specifically designed to process colourcoated, laminated steel, and they have the ability to apply strippable film and the ability to recoil.
More info: www.benbowsteels.com
Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Images:
© Benbow Steels
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Green ArcelorMittal
We are committed to leading the way in which the world views steel and championing steel’s role in creating high quality, sustainable lifestyles for people all over the world.
Leading the way with 10 sustainable development outcomes
Our new sustainable development framework focusses on 10 outcomes we need to achieve for steel to be one of the world's most sustainable materials. Pursuing these outcomes, a result of both analysis and consultation, allows us to be better prepared to respond to long-term trends and manage our stakeholders’ expectations more effectively.
Useful information
MoreEnvironmental impacts of our products
Our local communities and stakeholders trust us to share the vital resources of air, land, and water because we operate responsibly and transparently, and we have clearly improved our impact.
We understand these impacts and work collaboratively to protect and enhance the natural capital we and our communities and partners rely on.
Developing greener steel products
Commercial designers and manufacturers, as well as end-users, choose steel for products that need strength and durability. They make that choice because they understand steel contributes to more a sustainable lifestyle.
Therefore, we are continuously designing more energy-efficient products using materials that can be re-used and recycled and produced using fewer resources and without negative consequences for the environment or society.