Green² Steel

Steel production inevitably generates CO₂ emissions — but we do everything we can to minimize our impact. We promise to be 100% transparent with our data — no complicated language, no ambiguous figures.

Scope 1
0.356
t CO₂ / t of cast steel
Scope 1 - 3
1.432
t CO₂ / t of cast steel
We reuse, recycle, or repurpose
98 %
of industrial waste
Recycled raw materials
78.8 %
in 2024
Iron ore
0 %
always

Conventional line

All our steel is made from recycled steel scrap in electric arc furnaces (EAF). We’ve been pioneers in sustainable steel production since 1940, when we opened our first EAF—and in 1987, we fully transitioned by decommissioning our last blast furnace. Adoption of EAFs and the use of recycled steel scrap as primary raw material allowed us to achieve CO₂ emissions levels nearly four decades ago that are now considered a benchmark for our industry.

Our steel is produced entirely in one location — from melting in EAFs through forging or rolling to the final finishing processes — avoiding unnecessary emissions from transporting semi-finished steel across countries or continents.

As a result, even our conventional line of steel already has a lower CO₂ footprint — comparable to the "green steel" brands offered by many of our competitors.

One location
Our steel is produced entirely in one location, avoiding unnecessary emissions.
See the Comparison

Green² Steel

But we can go lower! By using renewable energy to power our production, we reduce CO₂ emissions by an additional 20–35%, depending on the steel grade.

Our Green Steel line combines recycled materials, efficient production, and clean energy to deliver even more sustainable solutions — without compromising quality or performance.

We are continuously investing in the best available technologies and optimizing our production processes to further minimize our environmental impact. All of this is in line with our goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

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Renewable energy
100 %
Lower carbon footprint
20 - 35 %*

*depending on steel grade

EPD Library

We believe in transparency. That’s why we are preparing Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for our products.

Some documents are still in the preparation and verification stages, but will be available as soon as they are ready.

Behind the Green Scenes

Our goal is simple: to provide you with clear, reliable information to help you make informed decisions. Below are our latest resources — and you can explore the entire library by following the link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green steel is a broad, unregulated term that generally refers to steel made with reduced carbon emissions. However, there is no official definition.

Mostly a marketing term. There is no such thing as truly zero-emission steel, at least not yet.

Even the cleanest production methods available still generate emissions. While new technologies are being developed that might enable truly zero-emission steel in the future, the reality is: we're simply not there yet.

When companies claim their steel is "zero-emission," they are usually highlighting one small part of the process, such as the use of renewable electricity, while ignoring other significant sources of emissions. Alternatively, they may be purchasing carbon credits to offset their emissions. But this doesn’t actually reduce emissions; it just shifts the problem.

Carbon credits are certificates representing the reduction or removal of one metric ton of CO₂-equivalent emissions. They are a financial instrument that allows companies to offset their emissions by funding emission-reduction projects elsewhere (e.g., planting trees). They do not reduce emissions from the production itself.

  • Low-carbon steel refers to steel with a low carbon content in its alloy composition and is unrelated to emissions.

  • Green steel refers to steel with a low CO₂ footprint, produced using low-emission or renewable processes, regardless of its composition.

It’s a common confusion, but they describe different things: chemical composition vs. environmental impact.

ResponsibleSteel™ is a global standard and certification initiative for the steel industry. It sets ESG performance standards for responsible sourcing and production, helping buyers identify more sustainable steel sources.

These are categories for greenhouse gas emissions:

  • Scope 1: Direct emissions from the production process (e.g., on-site fuel use)

  • Scope 2: Indirect emissions from electricity used

  • Scope 3: Indirect emissions from the full value chain (e.g., raw materials, transport, upstream supply)

When comparing emissions, always ask which scopes are included. Many “green” claims only reflect Scope 1 or 2.

  • EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations): Independent, third-party verified emissions data

  • LCAs (Life Cycle Assessments): Emissions measured across the entire product lifecycle

  • Clear Scope breakdowns: Does the claim include Scope 3?

  • Carbon offsets: Always ask if emissions are reduced or simply neutralized with credits

An EPD is a standardized, third-party verified report that summarizes environmental data from a Life Cycle Assessment. It provides transparency and comparability between products.

LCA is a standardized method to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire lifecycle. For green steel, LCA helps quantify carbon footprint, resource use, and emissions to assess sustainability in a holistic, comparable way.

PCF measures the total greenhouse gas emissions (typically in CO₂-equivalents) associated with a specific product - from cradle to gate or cradle to grave.

Hydrogen is a promising technology for reducing iron ore without carbon-intensive coke or coal. It replaces carbon with hydrogen in the reduction process, creating water vapor instead of CO₂. It’s key for future green primary steel (made from iron ore).

However, we already avoid these emissions by producing steel from scrap in electric arc furnaces (EAF).

It is important to note that while improvements are being made and this technology has big potential for the future, it is not yet available at scale.

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Want to know more?

If you're looking for more information about our products or sustainable practices, we're here to help. Reach out to us, and let's build a greener future together.

Marketing

SIJ Group
Marketing
SIJ Group
SIJ Group