SMA Claims the High Ground in Environmental Debate

While America’s integrated steel producers are investing millions in R&D to reduce harmful emissions from their steelmaking process, the nation’s minimill steel producers have already claimed the high ground for environmental stewardship.

Integrated mills and their blast furnaces heat iron ore and coking coal at high temperatures to produce high-quality virgin pig iron and steel. This centuries-old process releases high levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, one of the primary greenhouses gases blamed for climate change. Minimills, which date back roughly 50 years, use electric arc furnaces to remelt ferrous scrap. They note with pride that not only does EAF steelmaking emit far less CO2, it also recycles and repurposes scrap metal from the consumer and industrial waste streams—a dual benefit to the environment.