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 | Feb 2, 2022
Commercial and multifamily construction starts rebounded in 2021
Following COVID uncertainty in 2020, the industry recovered, but still lags 2019 levels.
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2022
Biden Administration launches state, local coalition to boost building performance standards
Will focus on energy efficiency and electrification across the buildings sector.
Codes and Standards | Jan 26, 2022
Downtown digital twin to aid Las Vegas in setting policy priorities
Will be used to address energy use, emissions, traffic, parking, noise, and emergency management.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2022
Modeling tool helps compare options for HVAC systems when little known about a building
Compares projected costs and energy usage for all HVAC systems and hot water consumption.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2022
Critics slam proposed revamp of California’s solar net energy metering rate
Could make rooftop solar panels unaffordable for most customers.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Norshield Products Fortify Critical NYC Infrastructure
New York City has two very large buildings dedicated to answering the 911 calls of its five boroughs. With more than 11 million emergency calls annually, it makes perfect sense. The second of these buildings, the Public Safety Answering Center II (PSAC II) is located on a nine-acre parcel of land in the Bronx. It’s an imposing 450,000 square-foot structure—a 240-foot-wide by 240-foot-tall cube. The gleaming aluminum cube risesthe equivalent of 24 stories from behind a grassy berm, projecting the unlikely impression that it might actually be floating. Like most visually striking structures, the building has drawn as much scorn as it has admiration.
Sponsored | Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022
Blast Hazard Mitigation: Building Openings for Greater Safety and Security
Codes and Standards | Jan 24, 2022
N.Y. governor calls for ban on natural gas in new buildings
Action follows New York City’s ban.
Codes and Standards | Jan 19, 2022
EPA may expand product lineup that can earn WaterSense label
Would include systems that enhance water quality at the tap.
Codes and Standards | Jan 19, 2022
Canada’s Trudeau seeking building codes changes, net-zero emissions building strategy
Prime minister also wants net-zero electricity grid by 2035.