Salzgitter AG has received the silver medal in the current EcoVadis sustainability rating. The rating evaluates companies based on environmental, social, and governance criteria (ESG) and positions the steel group in the upper quartile of its industry. For a sector responsible for approximately 7% of global CO₂ emissions, this is a significant signal – both to institutional investors and to builders who are increasingly demanding Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and transparent supply chains.
EcoVadis evaluates over 100,000 companies worldwide in four categories: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The silver rating means that Salzgitter ranks in at least the top 25% of evaluated companies in its industry. Specifically, criteria such as energy efficiency, waste management, CO₂ accounting, as well as workplace safety and compliance are included in the assessment. For steel manufacturers, the handling of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is particularly central – i.e., direct emissions from production and purchased energy.
For years, Salzgitter has been focusing on the transformation toward green steel and is investing through the SALCOS program in direct reduction using hydrogen instead of blast furnace coke. In parallel, the group is already using electric arc furnaces for scrap processing, thereby reducing the share of primary, coke-based structural steel. These technology pathways are essential to meet the requirements of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) starting in 2026, which levies duties on CO₂-intensive imports.
The relevance of such ratings is increasing particularly in the B2B sector: architects and general contractors are increasingly demanding steel with a low carbon footprint to achieve building certifications such as DGNB or LEED. Additionally, institutional investors are requiring demonstrable ESG metrics under the EU taxonomy. A transparent, externally validated rating like EcoVadis significantly facilitates this proof of compliance.
Nevertheless, the question of absolute CO₂ reduction remains central: while ratings primarily evaluate processes and transparency, measurable emission reductions per ton of steel are crucial for climate targets. Recent financial figures show that Salzgitter is investing in transformation despite market pressure. The coming years will show whether these investments also translate into declining specific CO₂ values – and whether silver can in the long term rise to gold or even platinum.
