South Korean steel mill SeAH Besteel announced that it has become the first steel manufacturer in South Korea to achieve the highest rating under the Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) certification scheme.
The certification was awarded by UL Solutions and recognizes SeAH Besteel's success in diverting nearly all waste generated from its specialty steel production facilities from landfill.
Highest level of certification achieved
Under ZWTL, certification levels are determined by the proportion of waste that is recycled or reused as useful resources rather than being disposed of in landfill.
SeAH Besteel has achieved an effective level of recycling 99.7 percent, achieving the highest level of certification under the scheme. The result reflects the company's systematic efforts to strengthen the circularity of resources and implement ESG-focused operating practices in its production processes.
Technical Challenges in Specialty Steel Manufacturing
Special steel manufacturing requires the use of multiple ferroalloys added to steel scrap to provide properties such as increased strength, durability and heat resistance. This process inevitably produces significant volumes of by-products, including slag and dust, especially in steelmaking and rolling.
These by-products often have complex physical and chemical characteristics, making recycling technically challenging. SeAH Besteel has addressed these challenges through comprehensive equipment upgrades and operational improvements across its entire production chain, resulting in consistently high recycling rates in both its steelmaking and rolling processes. The company's achievements set a first-of-its-kind benchmark in the South Korean steel industry.
Next Steps: Recycling and Recycling
Building on ZWTL Platinum certification, SeAH Besteel plans to further expand its waste and by-product management capabilities.
The company is committed to advancing recycling technologies that transform industrial operations. by-products and selected external waste streams into valuable, environmentally friendly alternative raw materials. These materials are designed to be reintegrated into production processes, reinforcing a sustainable, low-cost production model.
