Virgin material production involves extracting and processing primary raw materials such as iron ore, bauxite, and crude oil. This linear "take-make-dispose" model is energy-intensive and environmentally impactful. In metallurgy, it includes chemical reduction processes, often fueled by fossil energy, to convert ores into base metals.
Virgin materials are essential to meet growing demand and maintain metallurgical quality but are the main source of industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
Global manufacturing is shifting toward circular systems, using recycled materials to replace virgin inputs, reducing carbon footprints and protecting ecosystems.
The sliding scale adjusts carbon thresholds based on virgin material ratios, encouraging decarbonization in primary manufacturing.