Consumption and Distribution of Domestic and Foreign Waste Stainless Steel
Introduction
Stainless steel is an important metal alloy widely used in industrial production, and its wide application has been since its invention. The waste stainless steel is then recycled and reused in the production industry. Through a comprehensive analysis of the status of domestic and foreign waste stainless steel use, this paper will explore the development trend of waste stainless steel recycling and further analyze its production, consumption, and distribution status.
Domestic Consumption and Distribution of Waste Stainless Steel
In terms of domestic stainless steel production, China is the worlds largest stainless steel producer and also the largest consumer and trader. In 2018, the amount of crude stainless steel produced in China was 37.96 million tons, an increase of 8.58% year on year.
In addition, China is also the worlds largest consumer of waste stainless steel. In domestic construction, the stainless steel sheet is widely used, such as Yongxing Garden, Nanjing Olympic Quarters, and other large-scale projects. In the production of consumer goods, the stainless steel tool is used in the production of vehicles, food industry, medical and health, etc. Stainless steel coil has been widely used in the steel industry due to its corrosion resistance and good finish, etc.
What is more, the suburban management and urban security bureaus of China have adopted the stainless steel guardrails which are durable, pollution-proof and not easy to be out of shape or have defects, ensuring the safety of drivers and pedestrians. In addition, the large number of stainless steel indoor and outdoor decorations has provided a comfortable and fashionable living environment for people as well.
Also, the proportion of used stainless steel within the total amount of annual stainless steel consumption in China is very low, about 1%. Most of the used stainless steel is domestic scrap, generated in the production process. The used stainless steel is then recycled for the production industry. According to the current material input system, the used stainless steel is broken down into lump stainless steel and small pieces of stainless steel. The lump stainless steel will be remelted directly, and small pieces of stainless steel are melted into billets and then squeezed through a die to form a rolled product. The rolled products are then used as raw materials to make various products.
Foreign Consumption and Distribution of Waste Stainless Steel
In the waste stainless steel recycling industry, the advanced technology employed by developed countries, such as Germany and the United States, has further improved the efficiency of waste stainless steel recycling. In both countries, the waste stainless steel rate is about 20 percent, much higher than in China, indicating that the waste stainless steel recycling rate is extraordinary high in these two countries.
The recycled products from waste stainless steel are mostly made into small hardware components, such as nuts and bolts, screws, and nuts. The recycling of waste stainless steel makes up a significant amount of Germanys steel production. The waste stainless steel is also used in a wide variety of industries, such as shipbuilding, aerospace industry, defense industry, automobile industry, machinery industry, elevator machinery industry, etc.
In the United States, the use of waste stainless steel has been growing rapidly in recent years. According to statistics, nearly 70% of all waste stainless steel is produced in the United States. The recycled waste stainless steel can be used in a variety of fields, such as animal husbandry industry, sanitation institutions, chemical laboratory, and professional instrumentation equipment. The stainless steel waste is mainly used to make the construction parts, automotive components and parts of the country.
Furthermore, the use of secondary stainless steel for housing construction has also become more common in recent years. Secondary stainless steel has been adopted to a certain extent in the construction of housing, where at present wood and other materials are still the dominant materials. The use of stainless steel can bring advantages such as reasonable cost, simple installation, light weight, durable material, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recycling of waste stainless steel has become a trend as the environmental protection issue has been attached more and more importance. At present, the amount of waste stainless steel used in China is still quite low compared to countries such as Germany and the United States. However, with the improvement of stainless steel recycling technology and the deepening of the concept of environmental protection, the substitution of stainless steel waste is gradually being accepted by consumers. In the future, the application of stainless steel waste in China is expected to be further expanded, and we should further promote the application of stainless steel waste in the steel industry and infrastructure, to realize the optimization and upgrading of stainless steel recycling industry and promote the sustainable development of the steel industry.
