Informed Infrastructure
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from production of Chinese steel are substantially greater than emissions from production of comparable steel in North America, according to a series of reports released today by the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Two peer-reviewed reports (North America and China) compare hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel coils produced in North America, primarily used in the construction and automotive sectors, to the same product produced in China and shipped to the North American market. The study found that hot-dip galvanized coil sourced from China results in nearly 50 percent higher GHG emissions.
“In the sustainable design of steel-framed buildings, one of the most important decisions an owner or architect can make regarding environmental impact is to ensure the building’s steel is produced in North America,” said Mark Thimons, vice president of sustainability for SMDI.
