The Salzgitter Group's green steel products

Under our SALCOS® brand, we offer green steel products from the Group's own production with the usual technological properties and high quality that fulfil the following criteria:

• SALCOS® products are physically CO₂-reduced. CO₂ emissions are recorded and certified in both production routes. There is no balance sheet emission reduction.
• SALCOS® products comply with at least category C of the green steel classification of the voluntary and recognized Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) labelling system of the German Steel Association.
• In accordance with LESS, SALCOS® products receive independently verified labelling on the green steel classification as well as the proportion of scrap used and a product carbon footprint (PCF).

We already offer SALCOS® products, which will be the first to be labeled in accordance with LESS as soon as certification is possible via the relevant testing bodies.

SALCOS® green steel is produced via two production routes. Under the transformation programme of the same name, a new production route, the so-called DRI-EAF route, is currently being built on the Salzgitter Flachstahl site. By 2033, conventional steel production using coal in traditional blast furnaces is to be replaced by direct reduction using hydrogen (DRI) with subsequent melting in an electric arc furnace (EAF). The first DRI plant will go into operation as early as 2026. You can already obtain physically CO₂-reduced steel today via the already established and low-emission electric arc furnace (EAF) route at Peiner Träger. This is guaranteed by the 100% use of scrap recycling and green electricity. Certification in accordance with LESS will take place as soon as testing by independent bodies is possible.

In both the existing EAF route and the currently being developed DRI-EAF route CO₂ emissions are recorded for the whole production process and certified by an independent inspection body. This gives SALCOS® products a real, physically CO₂-reduced footprint, especially in comparison to traditional production using blast furnaces and coal.

The Product Carbon Footprint (PCF for short) shows the CO₂ emissions generated throughout the entire production of the steel product itself. It also includes all emissions from the upstream chain, such as ore mining and transport to the plant or the generation of electricity. It is a component of the LESS labelling. Depending on the customer sector, different standards are available for the calculation (e.g. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, ISO 14064/14067, PAS 2050 or EPD in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN15804). In addition to the PCF itself, the product labelling also includes details of the standard applied and the corresponding certificate number.

We already offer you pioneering products made of steel from the Group's own electric arc furnace route with 100% scrap recycling and green electricity. For example, crude steel produced on this route can be rolled and refined in Salzgitter at the customer's request. We will offer corresponding certification for these products based on the Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) as soon as possible. From 2026, we will also offer steel products from the DRI-EAF route (direct reduction and electric arc furnace) of our transformation programme of the same name under the brand.

SALCOS® green steel products effectively support you in achieving your sustainability goals. As a customer, you benefit in particular from the reduction of your Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) provides you with a green steel product with transparent and independently certified labelling of the transformation ambition. This makes it easier to compare products and different production routes.