Address root causes
Steel corrosion threatens sustainability goals. Hidden environmental costs – German corrosion protection specialist Steelpaint warns of the substantial CO₂ emissions caused by steel corrosion. Inadequate protection, it says, results in more emissions than the entire aviation industry.
Steel production is among the most emission-intensive industries. A single steel plate measuring 10 x 10 m and 20 mm thick generates 3 t of CO₂ in production. Additional costs include transport and coating.
Without effective corrosion protection, premature replacement leads to a vicious cycle of increased raw material extraction, higher energy use and extra transport and installation processes.
A 2022 study by Curtin University together with Ohio State University found that 25% of global steel production is lost to corrosion. Replacement contributes 4–9% to global emissions.
Reduce emissions at the source
In 2024, global steel demand stood at approximately 1.8 billion t; it’s projected to grow by 2.9% by 2030. The shipbuilding industry alone consumes 32.2 million t annually, with China, South Korea and Japan accounting for 88%.
Steelpaint expert Dmitry Gromilin stated that “by using advanced corrosion protection technologies, emissions can be further reduced. But the link between steel durability and CO₂ emissions has been underestimated. Corrosion protection isn’t just about extending the lifespan of materials – it’s also about reducing emissions directly at the source wherever possible.”
Given increasing regulatory demands, more durable steel protection is essential to meet the UN’s sustainability goals. Modern coating technologies significantly extend the lifespan of maritime structures, reduce renewal costs and cut global CO₂ emissions by up to 1.6 Gt per year.
Extending the service life of materials
Steelpaint is striving to set new standards with its isocyanate-free, low-VOC Stelcatec coating. “Our corrosion protection extends the service life of materials and also secures the future of industry in a sustainable way,” Gromilin closed.