Steel, Sustainability and the Circular Economy

STEEL, SUSTAINABILITY

AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

STEEL IS ONE THE WORLD’S MOST RECYCLED PRODUCTS WITH RESEARCH SHOWING THAT 99% OF STRUCTURAL STEELWORK IS REUSED OR RECYCLED. THE LIGHT STEEL FRAME ASSOCIATION (LSFA) IS ON A MISSION TO EXPLAIN STEEL’S SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS AND ITS ROLE IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY.

A sustainable circular economy is one which reduces the burden on nature by ensuring resources remain in use as long as possible. Steel is fundamental in achieving a circular economy – components can be remanufactured, reused or recycled. With a long service life, we may have to wait a hundred years or more for steel that is in use today to be recycled or reused. Steel is a vital material in the history of construction and although it may not be in our lifetime, every single element can be repurposed.

DESIGN FOR REUSE

It is estimated that the UK construction industry consumes some 420 metric tons of materials annually and generates some 90 metric tons of waste of which 25 metric tons ends up in landfill. So, there is significant scope for improving resource efficiency within the industry. Recycling is one the key mantras of the 21st century, but reuse for its original or similar purpose without vastly altering the physical form, is not top of the construction sustainability agenda. As distinct from recycling, reuse of construction products involves their repurposing with little or no reprocessing. Reuse offers even greater environmental advantages than recycling since there is no, or few environmental impacts associated in reprocessing.

As with recycling, some construction products and systems are more adaptable to reuse than others and therefore designers should be encouraged to think not only about how their buildings can be easily and effectively constructed, but also how they can be efficiently deconstructed in the long-term. This is a new discipline for most designers. The process is straightforward. For example, deconstructed sections are inspected and tested to verify their dimensional and strength properties. The section is then shot or sandblasted to remove any coatings, refabricated and primed to the requirements of the new project. There is, however, significant scope for increasing reuse of steel construction products and work is underway within the sector to promote and facilitate this. The proportion of recovered products that are reused will increase as design for deconstruction is better understood and a stronger market for reusable steel construction products is stimulated. The ability of the steel construction sector to facilitate these advantageous processes has been enhanced by the standardisation of components and connections.

Research carried out by the LSFA’s technical partner, the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) has estimated that there are around 100 million tonnes of steel in buildings and infrastructure in the UK. This ‘stock’ of steel is an important and valuable material asset that will be reclaimed and either reused or recycled in the future. The LSFA fully supports the ‘Protocol for Reusing Structural Steel’ produced by the SCI. This valuable research concludes that the environmental advantages of reusing reclaimed structural steel are considerable. There are also potential cost savings. This protocol recommends data collection, inspection and testing to ensure that reclaimed structural steelwork can be used with confidence in a new context.

There is growing pressure on the construction industry to be more resource efficient, reduce waste and to lower embodied carbon impacts. More recently, circular economy concepts are being promoted, with a roadmap developed to support a shift towards a resource efficient, low carbon economy. Increased structural steel reuse will support these aims and stimulate new business opportunities in the UK.

The LSFA has been established to influence legislation, regulation and to support the overall objectives and growth of the steel frame sector. The Association works with members to raise awareness of the performance, productivity and sustainability benefits of steel.

FRAMECLAD

INVESTMENT IN EQUIPMENT, PREMISES AND PEOPLE

It is a huge understatement to say that we are navigating a difficult time in history at the moment, however, at Frameclad we have reacted in a positive and professional way. The actions we have taken will stand us in great stead to consolidate and grow our market position whilst never compromising on our core values of quality and value.

Through this difficult period, we have continued to liaise with clients,

continuing to place them at the heart of everything we do, to produce outlines of schemes that we have moved on to design, engineer, manufacture and supply.

During the preceding months Frameclad has made further investments in equipment, premises and people to unprecedented levels providing us with greater capacity to grow in this exciting market place of light gauge steel framing. Now occupying two large manufacturing facilities in the heart of the country with our Technical and Commercial office in the North East we are further equipped and committed to delivering contracts of any size and complexity. Our staff are handpicked to be the best in the business and we are delighted to have made a number of key appointments recently. Given the investments we have made in bespoke machinery we can now offer arguably one of the widest ranges of cold rolled light gauge steel component and framing sections for walls and floors currently available in the UK market place.

At Frameclad we are very proud of our past and immensely excited about our future. If quality, consistency and value are requirements for your project please contact us to help you deliver this.

For more information visit:

www.frameclad.com

Steel Frame Solutions

Load Bearing Structures

Topbox Rooftop Extensions

Stud & Track Infill Systems

Oversail & High Bay Walling

Modular & Offsite Manufacture

Component Supply

01384 401 114 | enquiries@frameclad.com www.frameclad.com |

Our Services

Consultancy Design Manufacture

OFFSITE PIONEERS PRESENT

LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN

LIGHT STEEL FRAME

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE FOCUS ON FRAMING SEMINAR IN JANUARY – THE EVENT WILL RETURN ON THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2020 IN MANCHESTER TO BRING TOGETHER LIGHT STEEL FRAME MANUFACTURERS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS.

Focus on Framing has been created for specifiers, engineers, architects, contractors, housebuilders, developers and manufacturers looking to explore the latest technological advancements and solutions to overcome the challenges presented by new building regulations. The seminar will explore light steel framing technology as a pivotal solution within offsite construction and its use across numerous sectors.

In the fiercely competitive world of construction, gaining market share can be tough – Focus on Framing will explore the unprecedented opportunities within the offsite sector which is why this is an essential event for industry professionals.

Event sponsor and host, the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA), are on a mission to emphasise the benefits of steel as a rigid and robust noncombustible offsite solution. The LSFA provide a unified voice within the industry to promote the levels of sophistication, innovation and technical expertise within the sector.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Are you an industry leader in the light steel frame sector? Then we want to hear from you!

If you are involved in ground-breaking projects, creating innovative light steel framing solutions or developing pioneering strategies then to get involved email your name, company and proposed presentation title and description to: jodie.giblin@radarcommunications.co.uk

Why should you speak at events such as Focus on Framing? • Increase industry recognition • Demonstrate thought leadership and expertise • Generate industry leads • Gain networking opportunities.

Deadline for Call for Papers: Friday 31 July 2020

BOOK YOUR PLACE

To secure your place at this informative event go to www.focusonframing.co.uk and book your delegate ticket today.

Tickets cost just £95.00 + VAT with discounted rates for LSFA members and include: entry into the seminar and exhibition, lunch and refreshment throughout the day together with free parking.

For all general enquiries please contact, Jodie Giblin, Event Co-ordinator on 01743 290001 or email jodie.giblin@radar-communications.co.uk

FOCUS ON FRAMING SEMINAR

Displaying ground breaking innovation through light steel framing solutions.

The use of Light Steel Frame is fundamental as a construction material within a wide range of building types and applications in the offsite sector.

FOCUS ON FRAMING provides the opportunity to hear insightful case studies from those who are designing and developing the industry’s ground-breaking projects. The seminar will be complimented by an exhibition of leading businesses across the sector, and provide networking prospects with those who are shaping the future of the Light Steel Frame industry.

FOCUS ON FRAMING is delivered in partnership with the LIGHT STEEL FRAME ASSOCIATION, which has been established to support the overall objectives and growth of the light steel framing sector.

12.11.2020 MANCHESTER

FOCUS ON FRAMING provides positive return-on-investment and is one of the only events of its kind.

• Strengthen your brand positioning • Generate sales leads • Build relationships with prospects • Launch new products • Survey attendees about new product ideas • Research competitors’ products and messaging • Keep up on industry trends • Meet with key clients

BOOK NOW

Tickets to FOCUS ON FRAMING cost £95 plus VAT or £65 plus VAT for LSFA members, which includes entry into the seminar, lunch and refreshments throughout.