Oryx Stainless, a leading metals recycling company based in the Netherlands, recently published a study with potentially game-changing implications for climate change efforts in Thailand. The research, conducted in partnership with Thai and German experts, highlights the significant impact of stainless steel recycling on reducing the country’s carbon emissions.
The study, a collaborative effort between Thai and German scientists supported by The Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW and the German Embassy in Thailand, explored the environmental and societal advantages of stainless steel recycling. Oryx Stainless points out the considerable CO2 reductions achievable through this process, which could lay the foundation for more sustainable practices in the industry.
Findings from the study reveal that using one ton of stainless steel scrap instead of primary raw materials can save 6.71 tons of CO2. In 2021, Oryx Stainless’s recycling efforts in Thailand led to CO2 savings estimated at 556,000 tonnes. This amount equates to the yearly carbon emissions of a large district and accounts for 1.45% of Thailand’s total industrial greenhouse gas emissions for that year.
Sirichai Tempoomsuk, CFO of Oryx Stainless Thailand, emphasized the significant role of stainless steel recycling in combating climate change and highlighted its economic advantages. The practice not only reduces the need for primary raw material extraction but also has led to substantial cost savings for Oryx Stainless, amounting to around $52 million (or about 1 billion baht) in avoided expenses for ores and mining activities.
The study advocates for a CO2 emissions-based pricing model and the inclusion of metal scrap in Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model, offering practical recommendations for policy makers. Recycling Today reports these findings, emphasizing the potential for metal recycling to contribute to a more sustainable and economically viable future.
Christian Klöppelt from The Fraunhofer Center called for policy reforms to ensure equitable conditions for raw materials and to support the recycling sector, highlighting the dual economic and environmental benefits of smart recycling practices in Thailand.
