German steelmaker Salzgitter Group has received certifications under the Low Emission Steel Standard (LESS) for several of its production routes and products, the company announced.
LESS is a six-stage classification system that categorizes steelmaking processes based on scrap content and CO2 emissions, ranging from “E” to “Near Zero”. It also assigns CO2 footprints to end products, ensuring transparency for both industry and policymakers.
The first verifications were issued by LESS AISBL, a Brussels-based non-profit association, covering four Salzgitter Group companies: Salzgitter Flachstahl, Peiner Trager, Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech, and Ilsenburger Grobblech.
Salzgitter markets its CO2-reduced products under the SALCOS brand, which guarantees at least a Class C rating. Some SALCOS products exceeded this benchmark, achieving Class A and B designations.
From 2027, the group plans to expand SALCOS production at its Salzgitter site using direct reduction with hydrogen-containing gases combined with an electric arc furnace, complementing existing scrap-based crude steel production from Peiner.
