Circularity Days 2026

In the competition among materials, steel is of fundamental importance for industrial applications and consumer use. Because steel can be recycled an unlimited number of times, it is ideally suited for the circular economy. Whether in wind towers, buildings, or vehicles, steel makes a decisive contribution to the sustainable world of tomorrow.
To significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from carbon-based steel production, we are already on the path to nearly CO₂-free steel production with our SALCOS^® – Salzgitter Low CO₂ Steelmaking Program.

The Circularity Days 2026 took place in Wolfsburg on May 20 and 21, 2026. At this event, Eike Brünger, Managing Director of Sales at Salzgitter Flachstahl, presented Salzgitter’s path to achieving sustainable steel production: “The Green Backbone of Industry: Salzgitter’s Vision for Circular Steelmaking.”

The steel industry plays a key role in sustainability. Although it is a major source of CO₂ emissions, it also offers part of the solution for climate protection through recyclability and the redesign of the production process.

Given rising demand, increasing scrap availability, and high quality requirements, the shift toward sustainable, future-proof steel production demands a technological transformation toward decarbonization, increased recycling, and, in particular, flexibility in scrap utilization.

In another presentation, Dr. Yannis Werner presented the results regarding the tolerance of structural components in three automotive products. (Analysis of Steel Produced by Future Steel Making Routes (DRP & EAF) with Focus on Application Technology Properties).

Using applications in exterior panels, bodywork, and chassis, conventional steels were compared with materials from the new direct reduction and EAF routes. The key question for customers is whether this results in changes in material behavior. However, the investigations show that no relevant differences occur in forming or welding behavior, or in hole expansion.

During a tour of the Salzgitter Flachstahl plant grounds, including the construction work on the SALCOS^® site, participants were able to get a sense of the progress of the transformation.

The Circularity Days 2026 thus impressively demonstrate that the steel production of tomorrow is already taking shape today. The transition to climate-friendly steel is taking place without compromising on proven material properties and opens up new perspectives for sustainable products.