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voestalpine AG
Corporate Blog
Our circular economy strategy

Our circular economy strategy

We as voestalpine Group view the circular economy on three levels: end products, voestalpine products, and our processes.

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Close-up of milling head during milling in a steel block
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In this article

Whether processing scrap as a raw material, using slag in the cement industry, or extracting waste heat, the voestalpine Group as a whole is engaged in numerous activities which promote the circular economy. At all times, we comply with EU requirements and are guided by the national circular economy strategy and the demands of our customers.

Scrap yard at voestalpine
Scrap yard at voestalpine

Holistic concept combines external and internal perspectives

The political, social, and economic environment as well as our strategic and operational goals require a holistic view of the circular economy on three levels:

  • Circular economy from the external or stakeholder perspective and with respect to end products
  • Circular economy from the internal perspective with respect to our products
  • Circular economy from the internal perspective at the process level

Real-life examples

At all three levels, our goal is to close loops and slow down cycles in order to conserve resources and secure the raw material supply, and ultimately to contribute to climate and environmental protection. Some of the ways we achieve this goal is by

  • Using our own and third-party scrap
  • Recycling products, such as repairing used turnouts
  • Using renewable energy sources – Extracting and exploiting waste heat, e.g., at voestalpine Tubulars in Kindberg
  • Using by-products such as blast furnace slag and steel mill dust for cement production or the zinc industry

In 2021 our recycling rate for iron was 27.3%. 24 kilograms of hazardous and 138 kilograms of non-hazardous waste were generated per ton of product. We are trying to continuously improve these figures while maintaining product quality.

Statistics recycling rates bar chart
Recycling rate in percent / * From 2018: Recycling rate for iron, measured by product output

Clear mandate for research and development

Research and development (R&D) play a central role in promoting the circular economy. R&D is an important link between sustainability and our products and services. Its task is to identify and develop future and new circular economy potential in our companies and divisions. Key topics include the treatment and reuse of metallurgical by-products and optimizing scrap characterization. Our researchers are also intensively working on sensible CO2 recycling.

Economical as well as ecological

Apart from sustainability concerns, the circular economy can also fulfill our profitability requirements as a publicly listed company, because maximizing the recycling and recovery of materials also offers an economic advantage.

The circular economy is a Group-wide topic that employees from all divisions are familiar with. There is a strong interaction between climate strategy/decarbonization and the circular economy.

Stefan S.
Head of Group Environmental Management at voestalpine AG
Portrait photo of Stefan S.
Stefan S., Head of Group Environmental Management at voestalpine AG

The circular economy is a key element on the path to a sustainable and climate-neutral steel industry. That is why our R&D activities also focus heavily on the circular economy.

Franz A.
Head of Research and Development at voestalpine AG
Portrait of Franz A. at a table
Franz A., Head of Research and Development at voestalpine AG
Our focus on sustainability

For decades, voestalpine has been the environmental and efficiency benchmark for the industry. We focus on sustainability out of conviction, not because it is the trend. We provide information on which sustainability criteria and standards we follow, on how we are continuously improving our carbon footprint, and about the innovative, sustainable products and solutions we develop for our customers in order to make the world a little better.

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voestalpine AG

Die voestalpine ist ein weltweit führender Stahl- und Technologiekonzern mit kombinierter Werkstoff- und Verarbeitungskompetenz. Die global tätige Unternehmensgruppe verfügt über rund 500 Konzerngesellschaften und -standorte in mehr als 50 Ländern auf allen fünf Kontinenten. Sie notiert seit 1995 an der Wiener Börse. Mit ihren Premium-Produkt- und Systemlösungen zählt sie zu den führenden Partnern der Automobil- und Hausgeräteindustrie sowie der Luftfahrt- und Öl- & Gasindustrie und ist darüber hinaus Weltmarktführer bei Bahninfrastruktursystemen, bei Werkzeugstahl und Spezialprofilen. Die voestalpine bekennt sich zu den globalen Klimazielen und verfolgt mit greentec steel einen klaren Plan zur Dekarbonisierung der Stahlproduktion.