Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from using Chinese steel in the U.S. are significantly greater than that of comparable steel made in North America, according to a series of reports by the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Two peer-reviewed reports (one in North America and another in China) compared hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel coils produced in North America to the same product produced in China and shipped to the North American market. This type of steel is primarily used in the construction and automotive sectors.
The study found that hot-dip galvanized coil sourced from China results in nearly 50% 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.
Thimons cited an example from another SMDI study involving the design of a four-story cold-formed steel office building in Minneapolis in which the building core and shell includes about 100 tons of HDG. If steel from China was used for this building instead of North American-produced steel, the GHG emissions associated with the production of the steel would increase by more than 100 tons (CO2eq).
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 16, 2016
Calm weather tidal flooding impacting several communities on East and Gulf Coasts
Local officials face the prospect of costly mitigation projects.
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2016
OSHA appoints new director for its construction directorate
The forty-year industry veteran has been a GC and business owner.
Energy | Sep 13, 2016
Oberlin College to hold conference on post-fossil fuel economy
The gathering will address climate change and new sources of energy.
Industry Research | Sep 12, 2016
Evidence linking classroom design to improved learning mounts
A study finds the impact can be as much as 25% per year.
Legislation | Sep 8, 2016
Half of U.S. states now allow design-build on public projects
Missouri is the latest to enact design-build legislation.
Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2016
Vapor intrusion risk addressed in new ASTM guide update
The updates address industry confusion over how to handle the issue.
BIM and Information Technology | Sep 7, 2016
Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool updated to factor in waste management
The costs and benefits of managing 29 types of waste are now included.
Wood | Sep 6, 2016
Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises
The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2016
Overuse of air conditioning hurts office productivity
A study found temperatures in the low 70s reduce worker performance.
Regulations | Aug 31, 2016
FEMA wants to toughen flood regulation on projects using federal funds
The proposal ‘would essentially rewrite the current 100-year flood standard.’