Mapping the global flows of steel scraps: an alloy elements recovery perspective

Abstract Recycling steel scraps by the use of electric arc furnace is one of the most promising approaches for the steel industry to achieve net-zero emissions. Due to the uneven distribution of global steel scraps, many countries are actively involving in the global steel scraps trade. Steel scraps contain a range of critical elements, which may be transferred across borders through international trade of steel scraps. However, existing studies have paid little attention to the global flows of steel scraps and its embodied alloy elements (AEs). This study maps the journey of global steel scraps and the embodied AEs for the period of 2000–2021 for the first time by employing trade-linked material flow analysis and social network analysis. The results indicate that the global steel scraps trade had increased during the study period, with a few core countries (such as USA, Germany, and Turkey) leading the global steel scraps network. Also, critical metals had been transferred across borders in the form of AEs through the trade of steel scraps, especially from global north countries to global south countries. The largest AE flows include Chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and molybdenum (Mo) flows. Other AE flows, such as cobalt (Co), vanadium (V), and niobium (Nb) flows, were less, but with high values or being regarded scarce. From a global perspective, steel scraps trade and recycling can contribute to the decarbonization efforts of the global steel industry and address resource shortages in some countries. Therefore, it is urgent to promote the overall resource efficiency of steel scraps and the embodied AEs by various efforts.