Sustainable development is a worldwide priority. The Australian Steel Institute is committed to facilitating the steel industry to progress environmental, social and economic sustainability throughout the entire supply chain.
Steel is essential to our society. Due to its structural efficiencies, durability and recyclable capabilities steel is a viable sustainable material of choice, and its demand is on the rise.
Steel is the world’s most recyclable material. It can be recycled again and again without comprising on quality and then reused and repurposed, enabling its participation in the circular economy. Its high strength and reinforcing capacity enable the reduction of construction material use, conserving energy and resources, and allows futureproofing of structures to be modified or extended later.
The emission intensity of traditional steel making processes is high, so it is fundamental for the steel industry to continue the progression towards decarbonisation. The steel industry has made immense efforts to limit carbon emissions in the last few decades. Producing one tonne of steel today requires just 40% of the energy it did in 1960 (worldsteel, 2018).
Through industry cross-collaboration and communication, efficiency in resource use and operations and intelligent and innovation design, the steel industry can continually reduce its carbon emissions to provide a more sustainable, low carbon material.
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We have the clear mandate from our community and the opportunity to promote a cleaner and healthier environment by working together towards improving the environmental sustainability of the entire steel supply chain, from steelmaking and construction to recycling and reuse, implementing innovative technology and best practice sustainable design.
We have the responsibility to ours and future generations to set in place the solutions and tools that enable improved performance and reduced environmental impact, moving towards a life cycle perspective and what we think of as a circular economy.
Our industry and the ASI have taken responsibility to create and provide the solutions and tools to help action the circular economy for steel and the fundamental principles of reduce, reuse, remanufacture and recycle.
Steel’s natural characteristics make it a great sustainable choice in terms of its almost endless recyclability, the ability to futureproof structures to be modified or extended later, the reuse of steel sections and the option to design in high-strength steel to reduce mass, to name a few.
The ASI believes that innovation is of key importance and that we must learn and share ideas with our peers both locally and internationally. To enable sharing and cooperation among all sectors of the industry and with universities and research hubs, the ASI has underwritten the development of the new ASI Steel Innovation Portal. Head to the portal and explore the many innovative steel solutions under current development that will help us move towards a more sustainable future.
Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (formerly AGIC)
Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS)
BlueScope Steel – Sustainability
BPIC – Building Products Innovation Council
Green Building Council of Australia
Liberty Steel – Sustainable development
Steel Construction Institute (UK)
