Institut Feuerverzinken: New EPD for hot-dip galvanized structural steel

The new EPD highlights the exceptional durability of hot-dip galvanized steel and emphasizes its long-lasting corrosion protection, which significantly extends the service life of construction products. It also underlines the significant contribution of hot-dip galvanized steel to the circular economy. The European average scenario for the recycling of hot-dip galvanized structural steel shows that 88% of the material is recycled, 11% is reused and only 1% is lost. This corresponds to an almost closed life cycle of 99%. The main contributors to global warming potential are the production of structural steel (~70%), the supply chain of zinc (>15%) and the consumption of electricity and thermal energy (>15%). The easiest way to reduce emissions is to prioritize the reuse of hot-dip galvanized steel. This minimizes the energy-intensive processes required in recycling and thus significantly reduces CO2 emissions. Mark Huckshold, Managing Director at Industrieverband Feuerverzinken, emphasized: "The publication of this EPD is significant for our industry. It impressively demonstrates how hot-dip galvanized steel not only delivers in terms of durability and corrosion protection, but also makes an important contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and promoting the circular economy. These findings underline the sustainable benefits of our products and provide our members and partners with valuable information for environmentally conscious decisions."

An EPD is a documented, transparent and comparable information format that describes the environmental impact of a product over its entire life cycle. It is based on internationally recognized standards and is verified by independent third parties to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data provided. EPDs serve as an important source of information for architects, engineers and building owners to make sustainable decisions when selecting building materials and to enable building certifications. To use the EPD effectively, stakeholders should refer to it as a comprehensive source of information on the environmental impact of hot-dip galvanized steel throughout its life cycle. It can be used by architects, engineers and building owners to compare materials based on verified environmental data and make decisions that minimize the environmental footprint. Members and partners of the Industrieverband Feuerverzinken e.V. can use this EPD and download it online.