voestalpine AND WELSER PROFILE: SCRAP BECOMES A HERO!
The transformation of the steel industry is a major task. voestalpine and Welser Profile, a leading specialist in the manufacturing of steel profiles in Lower Austria, are meeting this challenge.
The strategic cooperation of many years between the two companies focuses on products from the greentec steel Edition and the recycling of scrap. A contract between the two companies and Johann Neumüller GmbH, which cuts and sorts scrap in Ennsdorf, was recently signed in the interest of transporting 20,000 to 30,000 tons of scrap from Welser Profile to voestalpine each year. The scrap produced during profile production at the Gresten site is used in the steelmaking process in Linz in a sustainable cycle. This is a perfect example of a successful circular economy.
This signed contract is an excellent example of the successful implementation of the circular economy in industry and shows how the green transformation is only possible with close cooperation with our partners.
Wolfgang Mitterdorfer, Member of Management Board Sales of voestalpine Steel Division
RECYCLING SUPERSTAR!
voestalpine is already a leader in the use of secondary materials and sets standards in the flat steel industry with a recycling share of 25 %.
Beginning in 2027 with the startup of the first electric arc furnace (EAF), the demand for recycled materials will continue to increase. voestalpine is ideally prepared for the future by implementing closed-loop activities such as this with strategic partners, opening a scrap hub (previously reported) and expanding storage areas.
The availability of high-quality scrap is a crucial factor for the successful EAF production of premium quality steels. We are on schedule with greentec steel and will begin operations in 2027.
Helmut Gruber, Member of Management Board Technology of voestalpine Steel Division
EVERYTHING ON TRACK
The scrap is transported by rail to ensure that the circular economy is as green as possible. This saves roughly 1700 truck transports per year, relieves road traffic and reduces carbon emissions. But that isn’t everything. Once the scrap has been processed in Ennsdorf, it is transported to Linz in specially developed scrap wagons. These wagons were developed by logistics specialist Logistik Service GmbH (LogServ), a subsidiary of voestalpine, together with TransANT and DB Cargo specifically for the voestalpine scrap pipeline and provide a traction load advantage of roughly 30 %. The first prototypes have been in use successfully since the summer of 2024. The wagon frame and platform are made of steel from the greentec steel Edition in voestalpine premium quality with a reduced carbon footprint. A perfect picture!
With greentec steel and partnerships like this, voestalpine is perfectly prepared for the green transformation!
Stella Sustainable, Sustainability Expert
