Nucor and Mercedes-Benz Forge Partnership for Recycled Steel Supply

Nucor Corp., with its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, has recently entered into a partnership agreement with Mercedes-Benz, aiming to supply Econiq-RE certified steel for the vehicles manufactured at Mercedes' Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant. This collaboration underscores Nucor's commitment to providing sustainable solutions to its customers while reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain. Leveraging recycled scrap-based electric arc furnace (EAF) technology deployed across its 24 mills in the United States, Nucor has positioned itself as a leader in environmentally conscious steel production. The company operates at a level 70 percent below the current average global greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity for the steel industry, surpassing the stringent emission intensity benchmarks outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.

Econiq-RE steel, aside from its recycled content, is manufactured using 100 percent renewable electricity and high-quality carbon offsets to neutralize any remaining Scope 1 and 2 emissions. This approach aligns with Nucor's overarching goal of fostering sustainability and combating climate change. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Mercedes-Benz as a strategic supplier of lower-embodied carbon steel, Nucor is committed to making significant contributions to reducing carbon emissions throughout the automotive supply chain.

Nucor's Econiq brand plays a crucial role in assisting steel end-users in achieving their growth and sustainability objectives. The company takes immense pride in being an integral part of Mercedes-Benz's ambitious journey toward achieving a net carbon-neutral new car fleet across the entire value chain. Since its inception in 2022, Econiq has set the global standard for certifying low-embodied carbon materials, reflecting Nucor's dedication to environmental stewardship and innovation.

Customers who opt for Econiq can demonstrate a substantial reduction in emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) compared to traditional extractive blast furnace-based steel production methods. Nucor, renowned as the largest recycler in the Western Hemisphere, operates the David J. Joseph network of scrap yards, further solidifying its commitment to sustainable material sourcing. In addition to its EAF melt shops that produce an array of steel products including bars, beams, sheet, and plate, Nucor boasts downstream business units specializing in various applications such as hollow structural section tubing, electrical conduit, steel racking, steel pilings, steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, precision castings, steel fasteners, metal building systems, insulated metal panels, overhead doors, steel grating, wire, wire mesh, and utility structures. Through these diversified operations, Nucor continues to lead the charge in promoting sustainable practices within the steel industry while meeting the evolving needs of its customers.