BMRA roadmap points the way to net zero steel

A detailed assessment of the UK metals recycling industry suggests the sector’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions could fall 93% by 2050. Switching to steel made in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) alone could reduce the industry’s emission footprint by 38%.

TheCarbon Footprint Assessment was carried out by Tunley Environmental to better understand emissions and to align the industry with the UK Government’s legally binding net zero target. The research was commissioned by the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) which says it is the first of its kind for the UK’s metals recycling industry.

The results have been incorporated by BMRA into ‘Recycling Today for a Greener Tomorrow: A Roadmap to Net Zero for the UK Metals Recycling Industry’. It concludes the industry could see dramatic decreases in both its Scope 1 and 2 (direct) and Scope 3 (indirect) emissions. On top of a 93% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the overall footprint of the UK metals recycling industry, including emissions from upstream and downstream third parties which includes smelting and refining by steelmakers, could reduce by 70%.

Policy calls

BMRA has listed five key asks of the UK Government:

• Ensure that recycling businesses are eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.
• Expand the uptake of biofuels by introducing a 10p per litre reduction in fuel duty for biofuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil with an annual review to ensure competitiveness.
• Allow operators to secure Government-backed low-interest rate loans for power and grid connection infrastructure upgrades.
• Incorporate fee modulation, based on recyclability and recycled content criteria, into upcoming reforms of relevant regulations.
• Adopt science-based standards which do not penalise recycled content.

Credentials

‘This assessment not only reinforces metals recycling’s current environmental and sustainable credentials but shows how it can go further, substantially reducing its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and progress towards the UK being the first in the world to produce net zero recycled metal,’ says BMRA ceo James Kelly. ‘However, like most progressive and innovative ideas, changes to Government policy are needed to support the industry to enable this transition. The five proposed policy changes will accelerate the journey to net zero, safeguard the industry, make operational costs cheaper, and the move to sustainable processes easier.’