Sustainable Progress: BlueScope’s Approach

Steel is an essential material used in many aspects of daily life. From infrastructure and transportation to renewable energy and consumer goods, steel is an essential material that is critical to the transition to a lower carbon world and contributes to economic prosperity.¹ Steel also plays an important role in the transition to a circular economy, where materials are used efficiently and kept in use for as long as possible at their highest value. Highly recyclable, steel can maintain its quality through multiple life cycles.

BlueScope is focused on reducing the environmental impact of its products, including embodied carbon, while enhancing durability, longevity, and circularity.

“Sustainability is integral to how we operate and is at the heart of what we do,” says Philippa Stone, Sustainability Manager at BlueScope. “Our focus extends beyond emissions reduction to ensuring that our products contribute positively to the circular economy and the communities we serve.”

Product credentials and certifications

BlueScope is committed to transparency in communicating the environmental impacts of its products. In line with this commitment - and to support customers’ decision-making and sustainability objectives - BlueScope has expanded its range of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These EPDs provide environmental data, including GHG emissions, energy use, water consumption and waste metrics, for relevant life cycle stages, and are compliant with International Standards ISO 14025 and EN 15804.

“Our EPDs help build trust by providing clear, detailed information on the environmental performance of our products,” says Philippa. “They are a valuable resource and allow our customers to clearly understand the environmental impact of the products they choose, helping them align their purchasing decisions with their sustainability goals.”

BlueScope’s EPDs can be used by customers and other stakeholders to support life cycle assessments (LCAs) for whole structures or developments. They also help customers to communicate the environmental impact of their own products or inform and develop their own EPDs. Additionally, BlueScope’s EPDs may contribute points in green building rating schemes such as Green Star and Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating.

Furthermore, thirteen BlueScope products have achieved the highest rating, ‘Level A’ certification, under the Global GreenTag^{CERT TM}  GreenRate™ program, a third-party ecolabel that evaluates products against stringent sustainability attributes. In FY2024, ten products were certified, including TRUECORE® steel, ZINCALUME® steel, and DECKFORM® steel, building on the three certifications since 2021: COLORBOND® steel for roofing and walling, XLERPLATE® steel, and Welded Beams and Columns. Like EPDs, ecolabel certifications, including Global GreenTag^{CERT TM} GreenRate™, can contribute points under green building rating schemes such as Green Star.

BlueScope’s commitment to responsible operations is also demonstrated by certification of key sites to ResponsibleSteel™, an independent global third-party standard recognising sustainability and climate credentials. This certification also reflects the quality of BlueScope’s operations and can give organisations in the steel value chain confidence in the environmental, social and governance performance of our steelmaking facilities, and may help them to meet their climate objectives and manage supply chain risks. Both the Port Kembla Steelworks, where BlueScope makes all its steel in Australia, and Western Port facilities have achieved this certification in Australia.

ResponsibleSteel™ certification is also recognised in the Green Star ‘Responsible Products Framework’ by the Green Building Council of Australia. Products manufactured at BlueScope’s certified sites are considered 'Good Practice' products, which can help support customers in earning Green Star points.

“These credentials and certifications are more than just tick boxes - they reflect the tangible steps we’ve taken to embed sustainability across our operations,” Philippa adds.

Learn more: For more information on BlueScope’s product credentials, visit our website Certifications and Credentials.

Driving circularity in the built environment with steel products

Steel's recyclability without loss of quality is a cornerstone of its value in the circular economy. Additionally, the average recycled content of all BlueScope’s products manufactured from steel produced at Port Kembla Steelworks is approximately 23% which includes pre- and post-consumer recycled materials.²

By designing for disassembly and potential reuse, steel can further contribute to circularity by reducing material consumption and enhancing resource efficiency. For example, the Western Sydney Stadium features a steel structure designed for disassembly, enabling future reuse or recycling.

The durability and longevity of many steel products further adds to steel’s circular credentials. For instance, BlueScope’s COLORBOND® steel is renowned for its durability. Incorporated in BlueScope's industry leading metallic coating, Activate® technology ³ enhances the protective coating of COLORBOND® steel's substrate to provide enhanced corrosion resistance. The result increases the durability and resilience of COLORBOND® steel to Australia's harsh climate and delivers a longer life that helps conserve resources and energy that may otherwise be invested in products with a shorter life span.

Building frames made from TRUECORE® steel are lightweight, durable, highly suited for modular design, and are often fabricated off-site to exact specifications to minimise waste during fabrication and construction. Any waste produced in the value chain can be recovered and returned to the steelmaking process. Activate® technology, incorporated in BlueScope's industry leading metallic coating, and present in TRUECORE® steel, enhances corrosion resistance, ensuring longer lifespans and helping to conserve resources.

Supporting climate transition and resilience

BlueScope products play a critical role in advancing the renewable energy transition and supporting a sustainable future. For example, locally made XLERPLATE® steel is a key material which can be used in the construction of wind towers, while steel tubes and backing frames are important components for solar farms.

Beyond renewable energy, BlueScope offers solutions designed to address some of the challenges posed by a warming climate. Cool roofing products, such as COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel, are designed to maintain high solar reflectance. This not only has the potential to reduce roofing temperatures and keep buildings cooler³ but also helps mitigate the impact of urban heat islands⁴.

Focus on the future

With a legacy of product innovation, BlueScope remains dedicated to optimising material efficiency, enhancing beneficial use, and extending product life. Looking ahead, BlueScope is committed to expanding the range of products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and ecolabels, enabling customers to make more informed and sustainable choices.

“Our emphasis on product stewardship is geared towards reducing the impact our products make throughout their life cycle, with a crucial focus on reducing embodied carbon.

“Our products are designed with the future in mind. Whether it’s enabling circular design or contributing to renewable energy infrastructure, we aim to create solutions that support sustainable outcomes,” Philippa concludes.

For further information, please see the BlueScope FY2024 Sustainability Report or visit steel.com.au/sustainability.

^{1 Source: World Steel Association https://worldsteel.org/about-steel}

^{2 Materials reclaimed within the steelmaking process represent an additional 2.1% average recovered content. According to recycled content categories defined in ISO 14021:2016. The figures provided are based on FY24 data.}

^{3 Compared to conventional roofing materials of lower reflectance index, such as ZINCALUME® steel and all other roofing materials in the COLORBOND® steel range.}

^{4 Actual cool roofing performance will depend on a wide range of factors including roof colour, roof shape, level and location of insulation, type, location, shape, and function of the building.}