E: Eco-Reinforcement
Eco-Reinforcement is a trademark for responsibly sourced reinforcing steel. During April we will be holding a stakeholder engagement meeting to explain the improvements we are making to the Scheme.
Eco-Reinforcement is a third-party certification scheme developed by the reinforcing steel industry to comply with BRE Global's BES 6001:2008 Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products.
Eco-Reinforcement provides a means for construction clients, specifiers and contractors to be able to purchase reinforcing steel from a supply chain which is pro-actively addressing issues of sustainability.
The Eco-Reinforcement Scheme Council provides a forum for stakeholders to work together to continually improve performance within the reinforcing steel industry.
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Scrapyard
Scrapyards represent a fundamental link in the Eco-Reinforcement cycle. They supply the main constituent material used in the manufacture of Eco-Reinforcement products; scrap metal. As part of an Eco- Reinforcement certified supply chain, scrap merchants, (along with other constituent material suppliers) are assessed to ensure they comply with a range of conditions relating to environmental, quality, and health and safety standards.
Furnace
Demolition -
Furnace
Although any mill in the world can be certified to Eco-Reinforcement, the majority of steel reinforcing products which bear the Eco-Reinforcement logo have been manufactured by steel mills which use the most sustainable method of production; EAF.
The Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) production process uses significantly less energy and natural resources than other production routes. The scrap metal is charged in the furnace, melted and continuously cast into steel billet. Each billet can then be traced through the entire Eco-Reinforcement supply chain to final delivery on site as steel reinforcement products.
Rolling
Scrapyard -
Rolling
The rolling process begins with the selection of the correct billet grade for the Eco-Reinforcement product being rolled. Where possible, steel billets selected for rolling are taken directly from the cooling beds of the melt shop to reduce the amount of reheating require before rolling. Once the optimum temperature is reached the billet is rolled and processed into Eco-Reinforcement bar and coil products, ready for distribution to Eco-Reinforcement certified fabricators for cutting and bending.
Cutting & bending
Furnace -
Cutting & bending
The cutting, bending and fabrication of steel reinforcement is carried out by a network of Eco-Reinforcement certified depots throughout the UK. Steel reinforcing bar and coil products are supplied to these companies in bulk from Eco-Reinforcement certified mills. The steel reinforcement is then processed to meet individual customer requirements which range from simple cutting and bending, through to fabrication and added value products. Once an order is complete it can be dispatched to site. Individual deliveries can also be traced to a specific cast produced by a specific Eco-Reinforcement steel mill.
Construction
Rolling -
Construction
The final stage in the co-reinforcement cycle is construction. This is where the benefits of steel reinforcement are fully realised. The finished product has travelled the entire Eco-Reinforcement supply chain, from its most raw form as scrap through to end use as part of a reinforced concrete design. Its path through the supply chain is fully traceable, the companies involved in its transformation from raw material to finished product are guaranteed to be operating in a sustainable and responsible manner, and are certified against specific, pertinent, and measurable responsible sourcing criteria.
Demolition
Cutting & bending -
Demolition
The demolition of existing structures is a crucial element in the Eco-Reinforcement cycle.
The demolition process facilitates the extraction of valuable scrap metal, which can be segregated from other materials and transported to the many waste recycling facilities located throughout the UK.
Scrapyard
Construction