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Steel: essential yet challenging in our circular vision
The choice of materials has a major impact on the environmental footprint of office furniture. We are working towards an office environment with no emissions. To achieve our climate targets, including a 42% reduction in emissions across our entire value chain by 2030, we critically assess the materials that cause the highest CO₂ emissions. Steel is one of them: it is essential for circular office furniture, but its production accounts for a large share of our environmental impact.
Why steel is essential
Steel is all around us: in cars, trains, buildings and office furniture. It is robust, dimensionally stable and lasts for decades. That long lifespan makes it ideal for circular applications: refurbishment, repair and redeployment across multiple life cycles. We almost never replace steel parts; they are designed for intensive use and remain functional, even after decades.
The properties of steel align perfectly with our circular strategy: maximum material retention and minimal extraction of new raw materials. But there is a downside: steel production is energy-intensive and causes high CO₂ emissions.
The challenge: high CO₂ impact
On average, one tonne of steel produces two tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Within our product portfolio, steel is responsible for around 44% of total emissions. Making this value chain more sustainable is therefore essential if we are to achieve our climate goals.
The conventional steel production method using a blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace relies on coal to reduce iron ore. This process is highly CO₂-intensive. Fortunately, alternatives are emerging.
What is ‘green steel’?
The term ‘green steel’ refers to steel produced with demonstrably lower CO₂ emissions. Innovations making this possible include:
- Electric arc furnaces powered by renewable electricity, also suitable for melting and recycling steel scrap.
- Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), in which iron ore is reduced using natural gas and/or hydrogen instead of coal. Natural gas contains less carbon than coal, so it releases less CO₂ when burned. When hydrogen is used, the by-product is water, meaning there are no CO₂ emissions.
- Smarter processes and greater energy efficiency in the rolling, forming and coating of steel.
For example, the steel parts in our Ahrend Balance and Gispen TMNL table and desk collections are largely processed using green energy by our supplier. This saves an average of 10% in CO₂ emissions.
These technologies are promising, but they are not yet widely available. We are monitoring developments closely and will adopt them as soon as quality and security of supply are guaranteed.
Why 100% recycled steel is not yet feasible
Although we use as much steel scrap as possible (recycled steel from old products), 100% recycled steel is technically not feasible for high-quality applications such as office furniture. This is due to variations in alloys (such as chromium, tin and zinc), which affect quality and composition. For applications with lower requirements, such as packaging, the recycled content can be higher.
Our approach
- Supplier selection: we work with partners that invest in low-emission production and renewable energy.
- Design optimisation: lightweight constructions, hollow components and repairable parts.
- Circular services: refurbishment, repair and take-back to extend the lifespan of steel frames.
- Transparency: we ask suppliers for insight into CO₂ reduction and material flows.
Example: office pods
Our Ahrend Qabin and Ahrend Cerene office pod collections contain the highest amount of steel of all our products. That is why moving to 50% recycled material for the steel parts in these products is a major step towards our net-zero strategy for 2050.
“In collaboration with our supplier, we are making a difference: 50% recycled steel. This proves that together we can already create impact now.” – Zana Ghaderi, R&D and Product Manager
Why your choice matters
It is a waste to discard a desk after ten years, for example; it can often last another twenty. By choosing refurbishment and reuse, we can make a difference together. In this way, we maximise the long lifespan of steel and prevent valuable materials from entering the recycling stream too soon.
Want to know more?
Would you like to explore the European steel industry and the role of recycled steel in more detail? Then read the European Commission article: Analysis of the EU Steel Supply Chain (JRC143881).
Curious about the challenges of the green transition in the steel sector? Discover the Change Inc. article: Green steel: can a challenging sector accelerate with CO₂ reduction?
We are happy to help!
Do you have any questions or would you like to find out more? If so, contact us for no-obligation advice.
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