In 1996, worldsteel launched its innovative worldwide life cycle inventory (LCI) study for steel products. This was the first time that an international LCI study of a specific material had been carried out.
The study was updated in 2000, 2010, 2017, 2018, and 2019, and we released our current 2020 LCI dataset at the beginning of 2021. This study contains new global and regional LCI data for 15 steel products, from hot rolled coil to plate, rebar, sections and coated steels. Data for two additional products (UO pipe and ECCS (tin-free steel)) is also available but has not been updated at this time.
The study was carried out in accordance with the worldsteel LCI methodology report and ISO standards 14040 and 14044, and it is the most comprehensive and accurate LCI dataset for steel products produced in the world.
The study report for the 2020 data release provides a more detailed insight into the data collected and the results published.
A key goal of worldsteel is to provide support on the environmental credentials of steel to customers and users of steel, with the intention that those who specify and use materials in applications have access to relevant data to facilitate their own informed decision-making.
This is achieved by generating this LCI database for steel products and making it available to stakeholders all around the world.