1. Mitigating climate change is an increasingly urgent concern. What levers can be activated within ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products?
One of the key contributions we offer is through our sheet piles, which can play a strategic role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Steel sheet piles are long structural sections with a vertical interlocking system, forming continuous retaining walls. They are used in a wide range of applications, like port infrastructures or flood protection systems. In Newport, Wales, our XCarb® sheet piles are installed to protect 2,000 homes from high tides, while for the new headquarters of the Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK) in Munich, a temporary sheet pile wall was installed for the excavation shoring, with XCarb® contributing to the “Sustainable Building Site” certificate issued by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).
ArcelorMittal is among the pioneers in the market to offer low-carbon emissions steel solutions, notably through our XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel, which significantly reduces CO₂e emissions while maintaining high performance standards.
2. May you tell us more about XCarb®?
XCarb® is ArcelorMittal’s initiative aimed at achieving net-zero steel production. It brings together under one umbrella all our reduced and low-carbon emissions products and steelmaking activities, as well as broader initiatives and innovation projects. XCarb® is a comprehensive approach to decarbonisation, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and strategic investments to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of steel products.
One of the first initiatives from ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products is XCarb® recycled and renewably produced. This range of products is made from at least 75 % of steel scrap1 in Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) and 100% renewable electricity. It reached even up to 100% when it comes to sheet piles – our EcoSheetPile™ Plus range – and sections, giving our finished steel products an extremely low carbon footprint, more than six times lower than steel produced via the blast furnace route. All the electricity needed to transform the scrap into XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel comes from renewable sources such as solar and wind power. XCarb® recycled and renewably produced products are backed by validated Environmental Product Declaration (EPDs).
XCarb® also includes more initiatives that share the same objective: reducing the environmental impact of our clients’ projects. In the construction sector, for example, the Steligence® holistic approach aims to lower the embodied carbon of buildings through optimised design and the use of high-strength steel. About a quarter of steel sheet piles in infrastructure are used for temporary installations like construction pits; we encourage their reuse up to five times before recycling, supporting the principles of the circular economy.
3. What are your insights after 5 years of XCarb®?
The XCarb® initiative was launched by ArcelorMittal in response to the growing customer demand for decarbonised steel and to position ArcelorMittal as a leader in this space. XCarb®, with ‘X’ meaning ‘without,’ signifies the concept of moving ever closer to steel ‘without carbon emissions.’
As we approach the five-year milestone, XCarb® has made important strides in transforming the steel industry towards sustainability. We’ve launched several key initiatives: the XCarb® recycled and renewably produced products of course, and also XCarb® steel certificates and the XCarb® Innovation Fund.
These efforts have not only reduced our carbon emissions and those of our customers but also set new benchmarks for the industry. Our collaborations with the construction and automotive sectors have demonstrated the viability and benefits of low-carbon steel, paving
the way for broader adoption. For instance, an increasing number of infrastructure projects now incorporate environmental impact criteria, including strict requirements for low-emission building materials.
Since 2021, 400 customers across various industries reduced emissions with our solutions, not only in the construction and automotive markets but also in agricultural fencing, wind turbines, and solar structures.
4. What is the advantage for customers?
Customers benefit from XCarb® products by significantly reducing the carbon footprint of their projects and products. We also see more of our customers being encouraged to offer low-carbon emissions steel by their own clients.
XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel offers high performance while supporting net-zero sustainability goals, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious businesses.