Stalatube revolutionizes stainless steel hollow profiles with groundbreaking environmental transparency

Breaking new ground in environmental accountability, Stalatube announces the implementation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its stainless steel hollow profiles. Pioneering this initiative, Stalatube becomes one of the first manufacturers in the industry to provide comprehensive environmental transparency for its products. The EPDs, now available on the company's website, cover a range of stainless steel hollow profile grades including EN 1.4301/1.4307, EN 1.4003, EN 1.4404, EN 1.4571, and EN 1.4162.

Over 90 percent of calculated product emissions stem from raw materials, prompting Stalatube to guarantee a minimum of 75 percent recycled stainless steel content. Tanja Pakarinen, EQHS & Sustainability Engineer at Stalatube, highlights a significant 42 percent reduction in scrap production over the last four years, attributing it to the company's commitment to sustainability. By incorporating recycled materials, Stalatube effectively reduces the carbon footprint of its end products, a fact substantiated within the EPDs.

Underpinning these declarations is an extensive life cycle assessment (LCA) study conducted by Stalatube, adhering to ISO and EN standards as well as specific PCR guidelines for construction products. This comprehensive study aims to provide customers with reliable and comparable data on the environmental impact of Stalatube products. By analyzing various stages of the product life cycle, the LCA study identifies areas for environmental improvement and showcases where environmental impacts are most significant, culminating in the creation of detailed EPDs.

The declared unit used in the study is one ton of steel product, with the EPD type corresponding to 'cradle-to-gate with options.' This assessment covers production from raw material extraction to factory gate (A1-A3), offering insight into both material manufacturing and product assembly.

Situated in Lahti, Finland, Stalatube's manufacturing facility employs processes including cold rolling, welding, and cutting in the production of stainless steel hollow profiles. Optional surface treatments such as polishing or pickling and passivation further enhance product quality and longevity.