There are still a few blast furnaces working, but fewer all the time. The quest for carbon neutrality probably will drive new metal production to DRI (direct reduced iron - using natural gas now, but going to hydrogen in the near future).
In the stainless steel business, mills typically use as much stainless steel scrap as they can get. Market growth, combined with long product life, limits recycled material use to about 75% of production. However, new production (without stainless steel recycling) is mostly from recycled carbon or low alloy steel plus ferroalloys. No domestic stainless steel mills produce new iron.
Users are part of the problem -- some feel that "virgin melt" is superior and actively limit their purchase of recycled material.
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Original Message:
Sent: 4/4/2023 9:25:00 AM
From: Sanjay Kulkarni
Subject: RE: Recycling rate of all metals and alloys
As far as Steel goes, most domestic mills are making 100% recycled steel. I have to audit new suppliers and current suppliers every certain period, so I know for sure.
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Sanjay Kulkarni
Materials Engineer
MSSC
2040 Crooks RD, Suite A
Troy, MI 48084
sanjay.kulkarni@msscna.com
Cell: 248-840-1056
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