Reducing material costs, lead time and carbon

Founding Steel for Life sponsor Cleveland Steel & Tubes says one of the best options for reducing embodied carbon in steel construction is the supply of repurposed steelwork.

Family-owned since 1975, Cleveland Steel & Tubes (CST) is a market leader in the supply of repurposed steel tubes from its 100-acre facility in North Yorkshire that now holds 100,000t of on-site stock.

“The recent changes in steel import tariffs and quotas have highlighted the huge importance of the role of the stockholder right now,” says CST Sales Director David Rodgers.

“We have material here, customs cleared, and immediately available to our customers. So, in spite of the general market uncertainty around material availability, our huge stocks of repurposed steel allow us to continue to deliver low-carbon alternatives on time and on budget.”

Repurposing surplus steel stock has the triple advantage of reducing material costs, reducing material lead time, and ever more critically – helps to reduce embodied carbon. Life Cycle Analysis research demonstrates that repurposing surplus steel has the potential to save 94% carbon when compared to material produced to order.

The British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) highlights material reuse in its roadmap to net zero, while BS EN 15804 [8] now mandates the reporting of Module D carbon emissions. Module D benefits are calculated based on the avoided impacts of primary production. By repurposing surplus steel into a project’s design, clients are reducing their project’s embodied carbon and contributing to the circular economy.

More and more clients, contractors and fabricators are now paying closer attention to the environmental impact of their projects. Consequently, many BCSA members are reaping the environmental and cost benefits of repurposing surplus steel in their projects.

“Over the last 12 to 18 months, we have seen an exponential rise in the number of enquiries from clients seeking repurposed steel for their construction projects,” continues Mr Rodgers.

CST recently completed a marquee project with Bristol Zoo, where 95.5t of reused steel has been incorporated into the newly developed African Forest habitat.

The project secured steel from CST early in their design process, giving the engineering team confidence in availability and allowing the design to be adjusted accordingly.

Ultimately, the project has successfully delivered complex environments for the animals, while at the same time dramatically reducing the carbon footprint of the build programme.

It is estimated that Bristol Zoo saved in the region of 140 tonnes of carbon emissions by creating a habitat that supports conservation in every sense of the word.

“CST is constantly working to advance and educate the marketplace about steel reuse. We are invited to present reuse seminars, join panel discussions, welcome site visits on a weekly, almost daily basis now,” says Managing Director Roy Fishwick.

Capitalising on its growing position as a market leader, CST has also just released its Homeowners Guide for Steel Reuse. The free booklet provides a practical guide on how to specify reused steel, how to ensure it complies with relevant building regulations, and even offers advice on logistics.

“We want to support all levels of steel reuse,” explains Mr Fishwick.

While supporting existing members of the steelwork sector with practical, ready-to-use guidance, the company is also looking to the future by supporting further research.

CST continues to work with the University of Bath, fully funding an industry focussed PhD titled Enabling Steel Reuse in the UK.

It has supported the research and publication of a Steel Reuse Protocol “SCI P427”; founded on the principle that with appropriate determination of material characteristics and tolerances, refabricated and reclaimed steelwork can be fabricated and CE marked in accordance with BS EN 1090.

It is clear that in an ever-changing world, pressure on business around carbon emissions is not going to diminish. Steel reuse is a demonstrably achievable mechanism to allow clients to demonstrate a level of carbon consciousness and CST, as a proud Steel for Life sponsor, will continue to support that mechanism across all levels.

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Cleveland Steel & Tubes
is a Gold sponsor of
Steel for Life