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Making Circular Business Models Beneficial for Steel Production, for the Environment, and for Market Protection
CEng. Alejandro Sanz Lara, Ph.D.1; prof. Ing. Jozef Vlček, Ph.D.1
1 MATERIÁLOVÝ A METALURGICKÝ VÝZKUM s.r.o., Pohraniční 693/31, Vítkovice, 703 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic, EU, alejandro.sanz@mmvyzkum.cz; jozef.vlcek@mmvyzkum.cz
From an economic burden to a competitive profitable differentiator. Reconciling the requirements for industrial production of steel with the reduction of waste (energy, materials, emissions, etc.) is a constant balance exercise of steel mills. Steel operators must define environmental and circular milestones that enhancing a viable manufacturing base that can compete in international markets. The authors elaborate on the mayor lean efficiency development of the steel industry and conceptually explore the critical strategic considerations of a fully circular steel market.
The authors explore the different learning mechanisms accompanying the transition and the consequences for the value & supply chains in both developed and emerging economies. The delicate phase of the energy and circularity transition requires adaptation to new competitive forces and legislative framework that will shape the steel market and will define new business model paradigms for a material that will continue to be an strategic component of the human society: steel.
Keywords: Circularity, competition, value-streams, steel business models, energy efficiency, waste reduction, circular market and profitability creation