Role In the circular economy

The companies of the Stena Metall Group seek to make their operations contribute to the development of the circular economy. In collaboration with customers and partners, sustainable services and products create values that benefit the climate and efficient resource utilization.

Due to population growth and increasing consumption, pressure on global resources is increasing at an ever-faster pace. Therefore, there is a need to develop circular systems that better utilize these assets.

The shift to a circular economy requires society to preserve resources in the economic system as high up in the waste hierarchy as possible, for as long as possible. Through innovation and new technological solutions, business models are created where business benefits go hand in hand with efficient resource utilization. The Stena Metall Group actively contributes by the continuous development of its recycling services and products, in close collaboration with customers and other business partners.

The transition to a circular economy is challenged by cultural, legal, technical and economic barriers. The shift from linear chains to circular value cycles requires changes in consumption patterns and sustainable resource utilization. Support is needed in the form of long-term policy together with improvements in product design, manufacturing processes, sustainable consumption, waste and resource management. Knowledge of complex materials and the use of life cycle analyzes must also be expanded.

There is a strong desire for collaboration between different operators in order to meet these challenges. Here, the business community has a unique opportunity to implement dynamic changes ahead of legislation. The Stena Metall Group is working towards a circular economy through research and development collaborations and through its dialogue with legislators.

Since its inception in 1939, the core business of the Stena Metall Group has created market conditions for utilizing and refining resources and values that would otherwise be lost. Its business develops in line with society and its stakeholders - customers, public utilities and authorities, suppliers, academic institutions and legislators. The Group’s recycling operations have a central role in creating a circular economy. Collecting and refining large amounts of waste and supplying recycled raw materials to industry offers significant climate benefits. Stena also contributes services aimed at creating more efficient resource utilization in the design and manufacture of products. Other business areas within the Group

(Steel, Components and Aluminium), also fulfill key functions in a circular value cycle by placing products, alloys and commodities of the right quality on the market, made from sustainable steel and aluminium that can be recycled again and again. The Group also helps secure supply chains by developing and supplying new types of shipping fuel.

In a more sustainable society, there is clear need for the Stena Metall Group’s expertise, products and services. Collaboration is essential to increasing sustainability and a vital factor in the Group’s contribution to the circular economy. Through collaboration, value can be created in every part of the cycle in the shape of reduced climate impact and improved resource utilization.

Digitalization increases the ability to collaborate and share information with business partners. A common knowledge base creates the foundation for in-depth collaborations and sustainable business solutions.

The Stena Metall Group invests in research, technological development and innovations in order to enable cooperation and meet the requirements of its customers, whatever business they are in. It has built an efficient, high-capacity industrial platform with a large geographic network. Today, operations are conducted at around 200 locations in ten countries, close to its customers. The ability to create new, innovative solutions is highly dependent on its 3,400 employees and their knowledge and skills. Therefore, training courses in product and material knowledge are regularly carried out. In summary, the Stena Metall Group generates major value in the transformation to a circular economy.

Key factors are investment in its industrial platform, research and developing skills. High profitability, combined with good financial discipline, enables continued investment in the business.