Scrap steel processing
Scope:
The proposed standard will discuss technical issues that need to be addressed for better handling and cleaning of scrap steel. It will provide technical solutions during recycling processes to improve quality and reduce presence of residuals. Due consideration will be given to:
- Ways to handle scrap in scrap yards to avoid or limit dirt and contaminants;
- Collection infrastructure and technological innovations needed for handling and processing, including AI;
- Factors that may limit or enhance the availability of scrap steel (e.g., need for different product design that may facilitate removal of wiring from supplying industries such as automotive and appliances); and
- Standard specifications needed for different types of scrap will be included.
The standard will provide guidance supporting private and public actors to move in a coherent manner towards low carbon steel construction in line with key national priorities such as decarbonization and Canada’s net-zero carbon emissions economy by 2050.
Project need:
Steel recycling plays a crucial role in sustainable resource management and environmental protection. By recycling steel, we can reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and conserve natural resources such as iron ore and coal. In addition, steel recycling contributes to the circular economy by closing the loop on material usage and minimizing waste generation.
Increasing contamination of scrap steel as it is recycled imply that higher levels of ore-based materials (pig iron and direct reduction iron) are needed in electric arc furnaces to meet steel specifications, resulting in higher GHG emissions from steel making.
The standard will support ongoing discussions within the Government of Canada on scrap steel and provide guidance allowing organizations to move toward decarbonization practices at scale. This will support general GHG emissions targets and potential integration of low-carbon steel options into federal procurement policies, and the National Building Code.
This proposed New Standard is being developed as part of efforts to support the decarbonization of the building sector, in line with federal government priorities.
The Standard will benefit a range of interested parties, including:
- Manufacturers of steel construction materials
- Code developers, government
- Regulatory agencies
- Scrap steel processors
- Designers and engineers.
Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.
Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.