Decarb Connect PODBITE: Circular Steel: From Scrap to Sustainability – Live from DCUK25
Recorded live at the Decarb Connect UK Summit in March, this episode features guest host Tom Angus, Senior Conference Producer at Decarb Connect in conversation with Eoin Bailey, Innovation and Circular Economy Manager at 7 Steel UK. Eoin shares his journey from automotive design engineer to steel industry innovator, and unpacks how 7 Steel is embedding circular economy principles to deliver more sustainable steel solutions for the UK construction sector.
*Please note: At the time of recording, 7 Steel UK was operating as Celsa Steel. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear it referred to by its former name.
Highlights from the conversation:
- Career evolution: How Bailey’s experience analysing product lifecycles sparked his focus on applying circular economy thinking in steel production.
- Circular steel in action: Celsa’s use of electric arc furnaces to recycle scrap steel into new construction materials, creating a closed-loop system that links demolition directly to procurement.
- Overcoming systemic barriers: The challenges of moving from linear “take-make-waste” models toward circular systems that extend material value and cut environmental impact.
- Green premiums and market positioning: Bailey's perspective that low-carbon steel shouldn't command premium pricing when it's produced as standard practice, emphasising the importance of transparent environmental product declarations
- Collaboration & policy shifts: The crucial role of industry collaboration and public sector policies in ensuring local, low-carbon steel competes with cheaper imports.
Please note: this podcast was recorded at Decarb Connect UK in March 2025
Show links:
- Connect with Eoin Bailey and the team at 7 Steel UK (formerly Celsa Steel)
- Follow Tom Angus on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb Connect
- Join the Decarb Connect Team and a network of hardtech investors and series B+ tech disruptors at Decarb TechInvest in Boston (September 2025)
Want to learn more about Decarb Connect?
We provide insights and introductions that derisk decision-making and support industrial leaders in deploying decarbonization and low carbon product strategy. Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support commercial decarb planning and business models around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors.
If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why more than 200 members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to share insights, meet partners who can accelerate their net zero plans and why it’s the fastest growing network of its kind.
- (00:05) - Introduction and Background
- (00:00) - Chapter 2
- (01:23) - Career Journey
- (00:00) - Chapter 4
- (01:56) - The Full Circle Moment
- (00:00) - Chapter 6
- (03:47) - Understanding Celsa Steel's Operations
- (00:00) - Chapter 8
- (05:36) - Linear vs. Circular Economy Models
- (00:00) - Chapter 10
- (07:26) - Overcoming Implementation Barriers
- (00:00) - Chapter 12
- (08:45) - Market-Driven Decarbonization and Green Premiums
- (00:00) - Chapter 14
- (10:41) - Supply Chain Education and Collaboration
- (00:00) - Chapter 16
- (12:11) - Summit Insights and Industry Collaboration
- (00:00) - Chapter 18
- (13:44) - Wrap up