First of all, the primary raw materials that are used (especially ore, metals, and fossil fuel) are finite and secondly, they are subject to major price fluctuations on the world market. Therefore, voestalpine aims to reduce raw materials use, using resources cyclically, or recycling by-products and waste. Additionally, steel has the great advantage that, after being used, it can be recycled back into the production process in the form of scrap: today, steel is the most recycled material worldwide.
Ongoing optimization of processes in the voestalpine production facilities increases material efficiency and helps to find new and better recycling opportunities for by-products and waste. In order to make these efforts to conserve resources economically sustainable, it is necessary to have proper statutory framework conditions. voestalpine is committed to ensuring that recyclable materials get preferential treatment, that recycling-friendly design of products is a basic requirement of admission to the market, that life cycle considerations are an important part of the selection process of products and materials, and that the use of secondary raw materials (by-products) is simplified.
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Today, the assessment of the environmental impact of a material cannot be limited to its production. Rather, life cycle assessment focuses on the entire product life cycle–from production to the utilization phase, and finally, to disposal or recycling of the product. This approach shifts away from a selective assessment of the social, economic, and ecological impacts of a product to an objective one.
In the steel industry, the LCA approach has a particularly high priority as it is helpful in finding a holistic view and balanced, sustainable solutions. LCA contributes to the optimization of material flows, thus improving the conservation of raw materials and advancing recycling efforts. Finally, LCA supports the development and improvement of products and processes at all points of the value chain. voestalpine has nominated a team that is specifically targeting this topic in order to advance the Group’s LCA strategy. For voestalpine, being active in the LCA approach means advancement of a sustainable, ecological process management, identification of optimization potential, optimum utilization of by-products in the material cycle in order to conserve valuable primary raw materials, and the development of products that are durable and recyclable.
Beyond the confines of the company, voestalpine is a competent partner for all customers with regard to all issues associated with LCA.
voestalpine has committed itself to the LCA Policy Statement of the World Steel Association.