Steel is the most recycled material in the world, capable of being reused countless times without losing its intrinsic properties. Italy is one of the key players in the processing and recycling of this material, boasting collection and recycling rates that reach 87%. This achievement far exceeds the 80% target set by the European Union for 2030. Moreover, the country stands out not only for these results but also for promoting a steel-making process that prioritises decarbonisation and circularity, as demonstrated by the excellence found in Northern Italy.
In the province of Brescia, in Lonato del Garda, lies the Feralpi Siderurgica plant, a steel producer. Feralpi has made recycling and sustainability an integral part of its mission, employing circular strategies that include not only the reuse of scrap metal but also the utilisation of waste and by-products from the process, alongside the innovative use of recycled polymers. The plant focuses on reducing its environmental impact through electrification with induction furnaces and self-generating energy from renewable sources.
This virtuous model has been at the heart of the Lombard leg of Legambiente’s campaign, “I cantieri della transizione ecologica,” now in its 24th edition. Launched in 2023, the campaign highlights the stories of Italian businesses and organisations that are driving the ecological transition through innovation and sustainability.
A partner of Legambiente in this initiative is Ricrea, the consortium for the recycling of steel packaging, part of the Conai system, which represents 315 companies, including producers and recyclers. Founded in 1968 in Lonato del Garda, Feralpi Group is among the leading steel producers in Europe, with an annual production of 2.5 million tonnes of steel. The Group has been listed as a Climate Leader by the Financial Times for three consecutive years and is the only company in the steel sector in Italy to have published an Integrated Report.
Feralpi Siderurgica stands out for its commitment to environmental sustainability across the entire supply chain, using 98.6% recycled material and implementing innovative solutions, such as replacing gas furnaces with induction furnaces. This technological shift reduces the use of fossil fuels, contributing to a cleaner and more efficient production process.
Domenico Rinaldini, President of Ricrea, stated:
We are very pleased to be involved for the second consecutive year in this project. Being among the Ecological Transition Sites chosen by Legambiente makes us very proud and gives us the awareness to continually seek opportunities to communicate our best practices and results in the recycling of steel containers.
Giuseppe Pasini, President of Feralpi Group, commented:
Feralpi is committed to a decisive path of ecological and energy transition aimed at reducing its direct and indirect emissions. We are a significant player in the circular economy, recovering millions of tonnes of scrap each year to produce new low-emission steel. The great challenge is to combine sustainability with the competitiveness of the business. To this end, we have set ESG objectives and a technological roadmap to achieve them, making electrification and process efficiency, along with recovery and renewable energy, some of the most important levers in our evolutionary journey to continue creating value not only for the company but also for all our stakeholders.
The Importance of Steel Recycling in Italy: In 2023, Italy recycled 428,043 tons of steel packaging out of a total of 487,548 tons put into consumption (87.8%). Thanks to the 428,043 tons of steel packaging recycled in Italy in 2023 - enough to create railway tracks connecting Rome to Oslo - 9,673 TJ of primary energy was saved, and both the use of 465,000 tons of virgin raw material and the emission of 786,000 tons of CO2 equivalent were avoided.
