STAINLESS STEEL IS A ‘HERO METAL’ WHEN IT COMES TO SUSTAINABILITY
In an era defined by increased greenhouse gases and an increase in global warming, the world has seen an urgent shift towards sustainability in various industries and sectors. Amidst this flux, stainless steel has emerged as a ‘hero metal’ given its stellar environmentally friendly credentials in various applications. As a result, it is set to play a critical role in the future development of South Africa to make it a sustainable living space for its citizens. This issue of the Stainless Steel Magazine therefore shines a spotlight on sustainability and the responsibility of our industry to make the environment safe for future generations.
One of the aspects grabbing international focus and the subject of our interview with Cronimet MD Bernard Maguire is the superior recyclability of stainless steel. With Worldstainless.org estimating that 96% of all stainless steel is recycled couples with the fact that recycling doesn’t degrade stainless steel’s quality and that this versatile material can be recycled repeatedly without losing its inherent properties, this reduces the demand for raw materials and minimises the environmental impact associated with mining and extraction.
Lasting the distance
Another key aspect of stainless steel’s sustainable strengths is its longevity and durability given that products made from stainless steel, have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements. This longevity contributes to resource conservation and waste reduction over time. If treated well, stainless steel will remain pristine for decades whilst giving full functionality and non-toxic performance.
The corrosion resistance of stainless steel - evidenced in this issue’s Columbus Stainless 3CR12 Case Study – proves stainless steel’s ability to provide a longer life for products and structures, reducing the environmental impact associated with maintenance and replacements.
Emission commission
In addition, examples of how stainless steel can offset its production emissions compared to other materials reside in its functional performance in specific applications. We recently saw the implementation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulations that aim to lower the environmental impact of steel being used in the European Union. The implementation of the regulations caused some debate, but the fact remains that carbon footprints need to be reduced where possible. In this issue, we will discuss a recent and insightful study by Oxford University on the effects of the CBAM regulations on the South African steel industry.
Water saver
In a country such as South Africa where water conservation remains critical, the corrosion resistance of stainless steel reduces the need for water-intensive maintenance activities, such as rust removal and painting. This indirectly contributes to water conservation by minimising the frequency of these processes. As such stainless steel will play an integral role in reducing the wastage rate of processed water in South Africa from levels of around 38% to less than 10%. Stainless steel also plays a vital role in hygiene and disease control in various sectors including medical equipment and food processing. This reduces the risk of contamination and the need for disposable materials, aligning with sustainable practices. In water applications, stainless steel can in many cases replace plastics to improve life cycle costs, but we also look at the issue of microplastic contamination of water sources in this edition of the Magazine.
Competitive cost
However, it is one thing to proclaim the sustainability of a material, but it is important to be able to calculate its true impact of a material on sustainability and costs for future generations. The true performance of a material over a prolonged period can only be assessed through a sciencebased analysis, such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or Costing (LCC). Stainless steel has a highly favourable life cycle assessment, considering its durability, recyclability, and low maintenance requirements. This type of analysis helps quantify and understand the environmental impact of a material throughout its entire life cycle. It also illustrates and measures a material performance under specific conditions and time periods. In most of these calculations, stainless steels remain unbeatable.
Overall, by incorporating stainless steel into various industries and applications, there is potential for a positive impact on sustainability and environmental conservation. It is therefore essential for industries to continue exploring innovations and practices that further enhance the sustainable attributes of stainless steel and we hope this issue sheds some valuable light on this and other sustainability-related topics.
Enjoy the read!
Michel Basson
Sassda Executive Director