ArcelorMittal launches low-carbon emissions steel plate for civil engineering sector

18 July 2023

ArcelorMittal is now producing low carbon-emissions steel plate of up to 18 tonnes. We are the first producer in Europe able to manufacture low-carbon emissions steel plate in these dimensions. 

XCarb^® recycled and renewably produced Heavy Plates are manufactured using slabs from ArcelorMittal Industeel, produced in an Electric Arc Furnace using almost 100% scrap steel and 100% renewable electricity. These slabs are then transformed in ArcelorMittal’s heavy plate mill in Asturias, Spain, resulting in a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions, approximately 60% lower compared with steel plate made via the conventional steelmaking route (blast furnace). 

Eighteen-tonne heavy plate steel is typically used in major infrastructure projects, for example in the welded section and box girders for road and rail bridges. Using XCarb^® recycled and renewably produced steel plate in civil engineering projects allows ArcelorMittal’s customers to demonstrably reduce their scope 3 emissions (supply chain emissions) and contribute to a lower carbon footprint for infrastructure projects. 

Speaking about the launch of the new XCarb^® solution, Denis Parein, Commercial Head Heavy Plate Europe, at ArcelorMittal said: 

“We are immensely proud to now be able to offer heavy plate to our customers, with a CO₂ footprint reduction of around 60 per cent compared with the same product made using the conventional primary steelmaking route. Our teams have worked very hard to bring this product to market, which we know meets a growing customer need for low-carbon emissions steel, to reduce the carbon footprint of complex civil engineering projects. 

An EPD (Environmental Product Declaration), verified by a third party, according to EN 15804 European Standard, will be available for XCarb^® recycled and renewably produced Heavy Plates by the end of the year.” 

ArcelorMittal Europe has a target to reduce CO₂ emissions by 35% by 2030, and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.