Liberty Steel to deliver its first ‘green’ rebar

Liberty Steel UK is set to ship its first orders of sustainably produced steel reinforcing bar (rebar) after securing full Cares and sustainability approval this week, the company stated on Nov. 5.

Liberty started production of its “GreBar” in October, with the company set to deliver around 10,000 metric tonnes of it before the end of the year

Liberty is aiming to challenge the UK’s current reliance on imported rebar and target future infrastructure projects. Half of the 1.2 million mt of rebar used annually in the UK is sourced from abroad while the HS2 rail project will require nearly 1 million mt. Upgrades and replacement of existing residential and transport infrastructure will also fuel future demand, the company stated.

Liberty’s mill has the capability to produce rebar in sizes 25 mm, 32 mm, 40 mm and 50 mm in Grade B500C. The company is planning to also make 20 mm diameter product.

“The UK government has pledged to ‘build back better’ from the pandemic and our rebar offering made through Liberty’s GREENSTEEL process offers customers the chance to use high-quality steel produced sustainably by a UK business,” Peter Gate, commercial director of rebar for Liberty Steel UK said.

“..We have placed particular emphasis on developing the capability to provide 50 mm rebar, which will give customers a broader UK market offering in this size and help drive design and cost efficiencies in construction,” he added.

Liberty’s Rotherham mill will ramp up production of GreBar over the coming months, with ultimate capacity to reach 300,000 mt/year.

— Annalisa Villa