Recycling Champion Steel - how Packaging Steel Sets the Standard
The Special Features of Steel Recycling
The Special Features of Steel Recycling
The production of packaging steel has distinctive characteristics that highlight its sustainability and efficiency in the material cycle:
Complete recyclability and substitution of raw materials: Steel is 100% recyclable and replaces primary raw materials in steel production, effectively turning steel plants into recycling facilities that contribute significantly to reducing CO₂ emissions.
Fast return and easy sorting: Steel packaging—especially tinplate—has short circulation times and can be easily and efficiently sorted thanks to its magnetic properties and the well-established European collection infrastructure.
Closed material loop even with incorrect disposal: Even if disposed of improperly with residual waste, steel remains available for recycling, as it does not burn in incinerators and can be recovered as steel scrap.
Permanent Material for Multi-Recycling
Permanent Material for Multi-Recycling
Packaging steel is classified as a "permanent material" that can be recycled repeatedly without any loss of quality. This makes it an ideal material for multi-recycling. The European packaging steel industry has therefore developed a comprehensive approach to defining the recycled content of tinplate packaging. This method takes into account the total volume of steel used for packaging applications and the resulting post-consumer packaging scrap within a European network of steel plants and scrap dealers. The calculated average recycled content for packaging steel in the EU over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022 is 67.0%. This methodology has been certified by the CE Delft institute and validated by the European Commission, which confirms the credibility and relevance of this figure.
