The European Steel Association (EUROFER) has welcomed the recent adoption of the Circular Economy Action plan by the European Commission. Nevertheless, the European steel producers' association underlined that the plan "is missing incentives to keep valuable steel scrap within the EU, which undermines circularity and the EU's climate objectives"
"As producers of an essential, 100 percent recyclable and permanent material, steelmakers are eager to see circularity put at the heart of the EU’s policy focus," said Axel Eggert, director general of EUROFER.
While welcoming the action plan, EUROFER called for caution regarding certain elements. "Not all materials are the same and a one-size-fits-all policy will not suit all. The path towards greater circularity must be built upon scientific, evidence-based principles." Otherwise, according to EUROFER, there would be no improvement in circularity.
"In particular, care must be taken when dealing with chemicals in a circular economy context. The risks of exposure to hazardous substances must be minimized. However, simply banning certain substances would hamper circularity, not reinforce it," emphasized Mr. Eggert.
"While recycling is a very effective means for keeping materials in the loop, circularity must strike a balance between 'recycled content' and design for 'end-of-life recyclability'", added Mr. Eggert. "Both parts need to be assessed per sector, otherwise true circularity will never be achieved. The EU exports millions of tons of steel scrap every year, so incentives should be developed to keep circular materials within the EU so as to meet our circular economy and climate objectives," he concluded.