Turning metals green requires more than just replacing fossil fuels with sustainable energy; it calls for a focused commitment to resource efficiency and a shift from a linear economic model to a circular one. When produced with maximum efficiency, metals play a crucial role in enabling a circular economy due to their durability and inherent recyclability. However, circularity extends beyond recycling – it encompasses a wide range of stakeholders, including those involved in repair, reuse, refurbishment, repurposing, and remanufacturing.
The circular economy seeks to transform the traditional linear model of “take, make, use, dispose” into a more sustainable, circular system. In this model, goods are produced and consumed in ways that minimize resource use by extending product lifecycles and repurposing waste as a resource while reducing unavoidable losses. Recycling is one central pillar of this approach, as it directly boosts resource efficiency and helps secure the supply of raw materials from intermediate and end-of-life products. However, other measures focus on the demand side. These “inner loops” of the circular economy include increasing the utilization of products through reuse, repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing. Each of these efforts contributes to prolonging product lifespans of equipment, process units, and plants and deferring the need for new raw materials. Furthermore, product design plays a key role in mitigating material losses and preventing quality degradation.
Our contribution to the circular economy is based on a "6R"-philosophy
Reduce
Reducing the use of resources or utilities is integral to our everyday work with the goal of maximizing efficiency and providing customers with a competitive advantage. This implies that the footprint of our equipment remains as small as possible without compromising functionality.
Repair
Reconditioning used equipment to its original state is a core competency of our service domain. Our global service workshops specialize in repairing components and restoring them to full functionality. In some cases, a repair can even increase the performance of a component.
Reuse
Reusing or repurposing equipment after its first lifecycle is crucial. This can apply to entire plants (e.g., relocating to a new site) or individual components. A notable example is the reuse of refurbished copper molds.
Redesign
To meet changing market demands, we offer revamps and modernizations, ranging from quick-win tuning packages to comprehensive plant overhauls. These can involve upgrading and adding new equipment, modernizing automation systems, or implementing digital tools.
Recycle
Over 4,000 types of metal-bearing materials are available for recycling, including complex materials such as electronic waste, batteries, slags, or minerals. SMS strives to make recycling as efficient as possible and to extend the range of materials that can be recovered.
Recover
In a circular economy, even wastes should be viewed as resources. Treatment costs and the potential value created determine the economic viability of this approach. A classic example of recovery is blast furnace slag, used as a by-product in the cement industry.
