United States Steel Corporation has announced that it is the first steel company in the world to qualify to sell its products as ResponsibleSteel certified steel at its Big River facility in Osceola, Arkansas.
Big River received the first ResponsibleSteel Site Certification in North America in 2022 and is once again at the forefront of innovation by achieving certification for sustainably sourced and manufactured steel.
ResponsibleSteel is the leading global multi-stakeholder industry standards body, enabling plant-level certification (and now, for the first time) steel certification. By meeting the standard for certified steel, US Steel’s Big River plant demonstrates its ongoing commitment to advancing industry sustainability while providing cost-effective solutions for stakeholders and benefits for the planet.
“This is an extraordinary achievement.” said David B. Burritt, president and CEO of US Steel. The rigorous requirements necessary to become ResponsibleSteel certified represent a new gold standard for responsible steelmaking on a global scale.
“This certification provides customers and stakeholders with the assurance that Big River is on track to achieve near zero emissions and demonstrates that we are using responsible practices throughout our supply chain. Being the first steel company in the world to earn ResponsibleSteel certification demonstrates our strong determination to build a more sustainable steel industry in the United States and around the world.”
The ResponsibleSteel International Production Standard incorporates environmental, social and governance requirements in its thirteen Principles, which include more than 500 criteria for responsible sourcing and production of steel. Certified steel requires both site certification and additional compliance with two key components: progress in responsible sourcing of input materials and site-level decarbonization. ResponsibleSteel certified steel provides steel buyers with a consistent assessment of material sourcing and site decarbonization progress.
By offering certified steel, US Steel demonstrates leadership by enabling steel producers and suppliers to assess their sustainability progress through a comprehensive and credible global benchmark. The standard is designed not only to encourage in-plant decarbonization progress, but also to drive responsible sourcing and rigorous ESG analysis of the supply chain. It encourages tracking and transparency throughout the steel supply chain, from input materials to product, ensuring that ESG initiatives are integrated at every stage.
With four defined levels of progress, companies are guided to improve responsible sourcing and decarbonization to achieve full supply chain transparency and a near-zero carbon footprint. US Steel has achieved certification at Progress Level 1, continuing its strong commitment to an integrated approach to sustainability.
“ResponsibleSteel employs a comprehensive approach to its certification standards, and that is evident in the work we do here at Big River Steel.” said Dan Brown, senior vice president of advanced technology steelmaking for US Steel and chief operating officer of Big River Steel Works. “Our transparency around decarbonization and collaborative approach with our suppliers and community play a role in what it means to have truly ‘sustainable’ steel products for our customers.”
US Steel’s Big River plant achieved steel certification by demonstrating how sustainability permeates all of the company’s operations. For example, it is more sustainable to source input materials closer to the plant with a known supply chain source. Iron ore pellets are mined and produced at US Steel’s Minnesota ore operations, which serve as raw material for pig iron production at US Steel’s Gary Works in northwest Indiana, which then becomes a key input into US Steel’s Big River steelmaking process.
“ResponsibleSteel congratulates US Steel on this significant achievement, the first of its kind in the global industry. This certification demonstrates the company’s continued strong commitment to transparency, credibility and accountability as it moves forward with its decarbonization plans. Today, this news sends a clear message to the market: progress towards responsible “green steel” is being made and can be more credibly benchmarked.
“For those buyers looking to end the confusion of environmental claims, look no further.”says Annie Heaton, executive director of ResponsibleSteel. We look forward to US Steel’s continued progress and leadership in the market for credible sustainable steel products.
By becoming Steel Certified, customers will be able to source and produce steel responsibly right here in the U.S. Together with ResponsibleSteel, US Steel is creating a more sustainable industry and future for generations to come.
