Cradle to Cradle – the Lifecycle of steel cladding and framing
NZ Metal Roofing Manufacturers is engaging with the Sustainable Steel Council to ensure that steel cladding is part of the national conversation about embodied carbon and the broader outcomes. We are committed to building skills, capacity and processes to maximise steel’s contribution to a sustainable low-emissions, climate-resilient and economically strong society.
A steel-clad building makes a strong contribution to the sustainability rating of the overall structure.
It begins with the ‘raw’ steel. The steel coil used to make the cladding is manufactured in New Zealand using sustainably extracted materials in one of the most sustainable virgin steel mills in the world – New Zealand Steel at Glenbrook. The Glenbrook mill uses locally sourced ironsand to produce steel – a process that is unique to New Zealand.
When the finished coil arrives at the roofing manufacturer, the material is used to produce steel cladding products. Our members are committed to a sustainable future for our industry and our communities. Through the Sustainable Steel Council (SSC) Charter, our members are able to focus on improving their performance in areas from waste reduction and energy consumption to community engagement, diversity and staff wellbeing.
Roll-formed, finished steel cladding is typically transported short distances to the construction site. There, having been designed in accordance with the comprehensive NZMRM Code of Practice, it will be installed to the same standard.
Importantly, steel’s ‘end of life’ credentials are unrivalled – steel can be recycled infinitely without compromising its exceptional physical properties. Globally, it is estimated that 90 percent of all scrap steel is returned to steel mills for recycling from which new steel is created, ready for its next useful life somewhere in the world.
Using New Zealand sourced and formed steel cladding for your house, warehouse or factory, you can be confident it adds to the overall sustainability of your project.
Six Reasons why
When it comes to sustainability and the broader outcomes, there are six reasons to use steel cladding:
- Steel is infinitely recyclable, with no loss of quality
- It is light weight
- Steel cladding is very cost competitive over its long life
- The product is easy to install by competent people
- Our MRM Code of Practice ensures proper design and installation
- And steel is enduringly beautiful.
