Building a Modern Economy with Steel

Steel has become one of the most ubiquitous materials in the world today, as an integral part of transportation systems, infrastructure, housing, manufacturing, healthcare, food service, agriculture, energy, and water industries. There are many uses for steel in all these applications, and it is often chosen because it is an extremely strong and versatile material, available in many different forms and grades from steel suppliers to meet different needs. It is also an environmentally friendly material, so as we work toward a greener economy and a more sustainable future, recycled materials from places like Wasatch Steel will likely continue to play a big role.

The Building Blocks of Steel
Steel comes primarily from two ingredients today: iron and recycled steel. Iron is one of the most abundant natural resources available, and has long been used for its strength and durability for construction, weapons, and more. New steel today is also primarily made from recycled steel—it is one of the only materials that can be recycled indefinitely without losing any of its quality or strength. For that reason, it is a popular choice because of its almost endless life cycle.

Fueling Economic Growth
A report by World Steel Association shows that the total global production of steel has nearly doubled from 851 million tons in 2001 to 1,581 million tons just 10 years later in 2011. Most of the growth has come from increased production and use in China and other fast-growing global economies. Of those 1,581 million tons produced, the top four uses were construction (51%), mechanical machinery (14.5%), metal products (12.5%), and automotive (12%). The other 10% was divided among other transportation, electrical equipment, and domestic appliances.

In addition to its availability, steel is also helping to fuel growth because it is so affordable and versatile. There are several thousand different types of steel that can be made depending on what it will be used for. By adding other elements to the iron, steel can be designed with specific properties such as ductility, stiffness, and strength. With so many variations available in the chemical composition and the micro-structures (for both nano and sub-nano scales), a very wide range of steel can be made for several different purposes. In addition, manufacturers today continue to come up with new and innovative variations that continue to make steel even lighter and stronger.

A Greener Economy Building with Steel
There are two main things that contribute to steel being so planet-friendly. First, it is one of the longest-lasting materials in use today. By using a durable and long-lasting material for infrastructure, construction, and more, you will have to replace the materials less often. What that means is less energy used to produce and transport new materials around the world. The second reason steel is so green is that it is universally recyclable. There have been over 22 billion tons of steel recycled since 1900 according the World Steel Association, and 98% of raw materials used to make steel are reused to create new products and byproducts, with a goal of zero waste. Wasatch Steel provides a variety of used steel options, as well as “excess prime” steel. Excess prime is new steel that has been exposed to the elements and may not look brand new anymore, but is in great condition other than the aesthetics.

When you need the best building material, steel suppliers like Wasatch Steel can help you find the strength, durability, and versatility you need from a wide variety of products.