Steel is not a single product. There are more than 3,500 different types of steel, with varying physical, chemical and environmental properties.

About 75% of the steel used in modern times was developed in the past 20 years. If the Eiffel Tower were rebuilt today, engineers would use only one-third the steel.

The new steel used in modern cars is stronger than before, yet weighs 35% less.

Is steel an environmentally friendly and sustainable material?

Steel is an environmentally friendly material. Steel is 100% recyclable, extremely durable, and requires relatively little energy to produce compared to other materials. New lightweight steel structures, such as automobile and rolling stock structures, help save energy and resources. Over the past few decades, the steel industry has made great efforts to reduce environmental pollution. Energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions have dropped to 40% of 1960 levels. The reduction in dust emissions is even more significant.