Recycling today, circular economy tomorrow – producers of steel and non-ferrous metals are right at the centre of this development. The metal industries are predestined for industrial circular economy. In principle, metals can be indefinitely recycled without losing their properties or their quality – depending on the degree of contamination. The development is proceeding from today’s recycling towards circular economy. In conjunction with renewable energies, the metallurgical circular economy is of critical importance both for securing resources and for meeting climate goals.
The goal is to lengthen the life span of products through sustainable, environmentally friendly optimisation of production and use. No other raw material better supports circular value loops than iron and non-ferrous metals. In practise, there is much more to be done than reduce waste and protect resources. As much as ecologically necessary, technically feasible and economically responsible, the goal is to separate economic growth from the use of resources and to lower carbon emissions to net-zero.
Materials and products in circulation among consumers are to remain in circulation as long as possible. Metal producing and processing companies, in conjunction with digitalisation, gain new perspectives for business models.
