Abiotic depletion due to resource consumption in a steelwork assessed by five different methods

Abstract

This paper assesses the relative contribution of the individual resources to abiotic depletion in the production of steel by ArcelorMittal Gent, a major Belgian Steelwork. The contribution of both energetic (natural gas, coke gas, fuel, cokes, anthracite, coal, powdered coal and electricity) and non-energetic resources (iron ore, iron scrap and lime(stone)) to the total abiotic depletion is calculated by the CML-, CExD-, EPS-, Eco-indicator 99- and mass and energy-methods. The results obtained by the five methods are compared. In addition the methods are evaluated taking into account three ISO-14042-based criteria. Some reflections on the applicability are dealt with for the specific case of steel production. According to the applied assessment method, ArcelorMittal should, in order to reduce abiotic depletion, either mainly focus on further improving energy efficiency (CML), further improve material efficiency (EPS) or focus on both energy and material efficiency improvement (Eco-indicator 99, CExD). For the EPS- and Eco-indicator 99-method the conclusion is based on events in the (far) future without consideration of technological improvements and therefore does not seem realistic for the actual steel production process.