Stainless steel sustainability evaluation
75%+ in Europe and the USA, 31% in China and 60% elsewhere.
Yes, and it is infinitely recyclable too
Yes, at least 110 years with zero or minimal maintenance
Yes, because it is both reusable and recyclable at the end of operational life.
Yes, very easily and the global supply chain to do this is firmly in place.
Yes, it needs no coatings, which is equal to zero emissions.
Yes, no VOCs are need or emitted. Stainless steel does not support bacterial or virus growth
Yes, due to zero need for any protective or antibacterial coating.
Yes, both production energy of co-materials and operational energy loss
Yes, stainless steel can be used as non-seismic resistant water lines and tanks
Yes, stainless steel panels avoid a need for artificial lighting. Many surface finished are available.
Yes, for most building materials stainless steel reduces the overall quantity needed.
The availability of end-of-life stainless steel scrap is growing rapidly. However, it is still limited in some parts of the world.
Chromium is available within captured stainless steel scrap and as FeCr which is produced by smelting the mined Cr ore.
Ni is available within captured stainless scrap and as primary Ni, FeNi and Ni Pig Iron. Several different production processses produce these types of Ni and efforts to reduce the GHG emissions of these processes are advanced.
Mo is available within both stainless scrap and as Mo oxide and FeMo. A few production processes produce these types of Mo and efforts to reduce the GHG emissions of these processes are in development.
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No, the increase in stainless scrap availability and the availability of ores will satisfy the increase in demand for stainless steels for more than 100 years.
Yes, correctly specified stainless steels will emit zero emissions when in use. Other materials will require maintenance whcih then creates emissions in use.
Yes, using scrap as a raw material reduces the production emissions and work is also done to reduce the emissions associated with ore extraction.