Sustainability
Circular
Manufacturing
Model
Infinitely recycling steel
We operate using a circular manufacturing model and are one of the largest metals recycling companies in North America. We fuel our own circular economy in the manufacturing process through our three primary operating platforms — steel, metals recycling and steel fabrication.
We reintroduced
11 million tons of recycled ferrous scrap into the manufacturing life cycle in 2020.
We reintroduced
1 billion pounds of recycled nonferrous scrap into the manufacturing life cycle in 2020.
Exclusive EAF
Steel Dynamics is truly circular, with our steel operations’ exclusive use of electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. EAF technology uses primarily recycled ferrous scrap metal to produce new steel. Our EAF steel mills use recycled ferrous, or steel scrap, as the single-largest raw material input in the production of new finished steel products. In 2019, 84% of the material used in our furnaces to produce steel at our six EAF steel mills was recycled ferrous scrap and internally generated iron substitutes.
Collect, Process and Recycle
Our metals recycling operations collect and process scrap from the manufacturing sector and end-of-life items like cars, appliances and machinery. This processed scrap is then sold for reuse, including to our own EAF steel mills, which produce new steel from the scrapped material.
Process and Manufacture
Our steel is then sold to consumers that both further process and manufacture end products. We sell a meaningful amount of steel to our own manufacturing businesses that in turn sell finished products to consumers. Ultimately, when these products reach the end of their lives, they can be collected as scrap and used again in our steelmaking operations, creating our circular manufacturing model.
Recycle and Reuse
Additionally, we have operations that use recycled scrap to produce certified aluminum alloys, copper rod and copper wire. We reuse over 250 million pounds of scrap aluminum and 150 million pounds of scrap copper annually.
EXCLUSIVE EAF
Steel Dynamics is truly circular, with our steel operations exclusive use of electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. EAF technology uses primarily recycled ferrous scrap metal to produce new steel. Our EAF steel mills use recycled ferrous, or steel scrap, as the single-largest raw material input in the production of new finished steel products. In 2019, 84% of the material used in our furnaces to produce steel at our six EAF steel mills was recycled ferrous scrap and internally generated iron substitutes.
COLLECT, PROCESS AND SELL
Our metals recycling operations collect and process scrap from the manufacturing sector and end-of-life items like cars, appliances and machinery. This processed scrap is then sold for reuse, including to our own EAF steel mills, which produce new steel from the scrapped material.
PROCESS AND RECYCLE
Our steel is then sold to consumers that both further process and manufacture end products. We sell a meaningful amount of steel to our own manufacturing businesses that in turn sell finished products to consumers. Ultimately, when these products reach the end of their lives, they can be collected as scrap and used again in our steelmaking operations, creating our vertically connected sustainable production life cycle.
COLLECT, PROCESS AND SELL
Additionally, we have operations that use recycled scrap to produce certified aluminum alloys, copper rod and copper wire. We reuse over 250 million pounds of scrap aluminum and 150 million pounds of scrap copper annually.
