There is no avoiding the fact that steel is a high-carbon material. Creating a tonne of it can generate thousands of kilograms of carbon dioxide. While the industry is improving, including developing low-carbon production methods, there is a long way to go. One thing to keep in mind is structural steel reuse can be an option for many projects. In fact, there is a campaign for scaling up, encouraging more housebuilders and self-builders to consider it. Let’s have a look, then you can rely on us if you want to order products from the most reputable ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands.
Why is it beneficial?
While steel is high-carbon, it does have some impressive green credentials. Most importantly, it is recyclable and reusable. Old materials can be reworked and recertified. This allows people to use them on all kinds of projects, including large scale developments as well as homes.
The most important thing to keep in mind is reusing steel can save a massive amount of carbon emissions. If you compare reuse to new materials, the savings can be as high as 97%. So, it’s clear how beneficial it is for the environment.
It’s also essential to remember that reusing steel is cost effective. It could provide as much as 60% savings. Even in cases when there is significant reworking to do, it is still cheaper to reuse steel. Speak to us if you want to order from the best ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands.
A drawback
Reusing structural steel has been a significant choice for several projects. One of the most notable is 30 Duke Street, St James. It was the largest steel reuse project in London, using 440 tonnes (78%) reclaimed steel. Also in London, the Elephant and Castle town centre redevelopment is using a minimum 96 tonnes (26%) reclaimed steel.
However, while it’s definitely growing in popularity, there is a drawback. The key thing with structural steel reuse is it requires more planning. This is necessary to ensure the material will provide the necessary strength to satisfy Building Control and meet regulations. There are important details to consider. For example, there could be drill holes or attachments. An engineer must ensure they won’t affect performance. Plus, old coatings may need to be removed and new ones applied.
The additional planning is worth it in the majority of cases though, especially in light of the cost and carbon savings. Plus, the accessibility continues to improve all the time. So, consider it for all kinds of projects.
Discuss your needs with a reliable ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands
As you can see, there are many reasons to consider reusing steel. However, you need to ensure it is right for you. Think about all of the variables, including your designs, load bearing capacities, and choice of grades. If you have complex designs and loading requirements, or need very specific alloys, it can be best to use virgin steel.
Union Steel Tubes is a fantastic company to work with if you need tubing for projects. We have an extensive range and provide various options. This includes several shapes as well as hundreds of different combinations of diameter and wall thicknesses.
So, talk to us and get the benefits of dealing with the number one ERW steel tube supplier in the West Midlands. We’re reliable and provide a short lead time.
