ArcelorMittal has significantly expanded scrap processing in Europe since 2022

The company is investing in the decarbonization of steelmaking through the development of a circular economy

Since 2022, global mining and steel company ArcelorMittal has been actively strengthening its scrap processing capacities in Europe, seeing this as the key to reducing CO2 emissions and transitioning to a circular steel production model. This is stated in a press release from ArcelorMittal France.

Recycling one ton of secondary raw materials avoids up to 1.5 tons of CO2, thus already making a significant contribution to the decarbonization of the industry.

At its sites in France, ArcelorMittal is investing in state-of-the-art equipment for deeper scrap integration. In Fos-sur-Mer, thanks to the launch of a new ladle furnace, supported by the France 2030 program, scrap utilization will increase fivefold, resulting in a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2025. In Dunkirk, processing capacity has doubled thanks to warehouse expansion, a new crane, and logistics optimization.

At its plants in Châteauneuf and Le Creusot, which operate electric arc furnaces, the company already produces steel from 100% scrap with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

To ensure continuous access to high-quality raw materials, ArcelorMittal acquired four large scrap recycling companies in 2022: Riwald Recycling (Netherlands), ALBA International Recycling (Germany), John Lawrie Metals (Scotland), and Zlomex (Poland). This has strengthened its position in the collection, sorting, and preparation of scrap in the EU.

Despite growing demand for steel, which cannot be met solely by secondary raw materials, scrap is already an effective and affordable tool for reducing emissions. ArcelorMittal is also investing in research into cleaning scrap of impurities and is collaborating with other industries to facilitate waste sorting in the future.

ArcelorMittal is considering the construction of an electric arc furnace at its site in Fos-sur-Mer (France) with an investment of €750 million. A public dialogue is currently underway at the initiative of the French National Public Debate Commission. The company emphasizes that the implementation of the project depends on clarity in the EU regulatory environment regarding the protection of European steel producers.