T10 AM LCA and Business Benefits
Tuesday, 15 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 11:40 AM in 341-342

(MAL-1117-210081) How to Quantify the Environmental Impact of Stainless Steel.

Malm, Staffan¹, Fujii, Hiroyuki², Nagaiwa, Toshiyuki², ¹ International Stainless Steel Forum, Brussels, Belgium² Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co. Ltd., Kawasaki, Japan

ABSTRACT- Stainless steel is a material, which truly contributes to sustainable development. This is well recognized by the general public and the end users of stainless steel. However, very few efforts have been made to quantify the environmental profile of stainless steel. Global cradle to gate LCI data is now available for eight common stainless steel products. The purpose of this paper is to 1) describe how to apply LCI data for stainless steel products 2) recommend a simple standard for LCA practitioners dealing with stainless steel The paper defines the benefits of recycling of stainless steel products, and two methods for allocation of recycling credits. The results demonstrate that well established allocation methods for carbon steel can be used also for stainless steel. A simple Template for LCA practitioners dealing with stainless steel is recommended The Recycling Ratio at end-of-life is the individually most important factor when assessing the environmental profile of a material like stainless steel. A few case studies illustrate how the high end-of-life recycling ratios for most stainless steel products significantly improve the environment.

Key words: LCI, Methodology, Recycling, Stainless Steel