As sustainability shifts from policy ambition to industrial execution, stainless steel producers are under growing pressure to demonstrate measurable climate action. In this interview, Carlos Ruiz Alonso, Sustainability Director at Acerinox S.A., discusses how the group is embedding sustainability across governance, operations and the supply chain, including the launch of its new low-CO2 stainless steel grade, EcoACX®. He outlines how EcoACX® fits within Acerinox’s broader decarbonisation strategy, and the practical realities of delivering lower-carbon materials while maintaining performance, scale and competitiveness.
By Joanne McIntyre, Stainless Steel World
“Although sustainability is now firmly on the agenda and widely discussed, it is important to recognise that it is influenced by multiple, sometimes competing, forces,” begins Carlos. “These shape how sustainability is interpreted, implemented and ultimately how it affects companies. For us, sustainability is not a peripheral topic; it is a strategic issue for the stainless steel and High Performance Alloys sector.”
“We are convinced that sustainability is a key driver of value creation in the short, medium and long term – not only for investors, but also for customers, suppliers, employees and the communities surrounding our facilities. At its core, sustainability means creating value today while preserving resources for future generations. This requires management to balance environmental, social and governance considerations in a structured and disciplined way.”
Sustainability must also be viewed within the broader context in which industrial operations exist, explains Carlos. Climate change is already having tangible economic and social impacts, as evidenced by wildfires, floods and extreme weather events in many countries. Global risk outlooks discussed at the World Economic Forum continue to identify climate change and sustainability-related challenges as among the most significant threats to economic growth, livelihoods and social stability worldwide.
“This awareness is shared by the financial community,” continues Carlos. “Banks and investors are increasingly allocating capital towards sustainable activities because they recognise that long-term value creation is inseparable from sustainability. It is within this environment that Acerinox operates.”
The company’s unwavering commitment to the issue is evidenced by the fact that the variable remuneration of senior management is directly tied to their achieving its sustainability goals.
A structured sustainability framework
“To respond effectively, we must understand how sustainability impacts stainless steel producers and how these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for value creation across the entire value chain,” continues Carlos.
“Our approach is structured through the Acerinox Positive Impact 360 plan, built on five pillars:
- Ethical, responsible and transparent governance – This pillar focuses on robust corporate governance, ethical conduct and transparent decision-making, providing the foundation for managing sustainability across the organisation.
- Engaged teams, culture, diversity and safety – As an industrial company, people are central to our operations. We work to align our teams with corporate strategy and values, while promoting diversity, talent development, equality and, critically, health & safety, both within our facilities and for those working around them.
- Eco-efficiency and climate change mitigation – We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency across operations. This includes setting ambitious climate targets, implementing emissions-reduction initiatives and adapting our facilities to the growing physical risks associated with climate change.
- Circular economy and sustainable products – Stainless steel is inherently circular. More than 70% of our raw materials are already recycled, and in specific product lines, we are achieving 90%. We continue to invest in processes that maximise metal recovery and resource efficiency, translating circular economy principles into tangible products.
- Supply chain and social impact – Sustainability extends beyond our own operations. We integrate sustainability criteria into daily business practices and extend these expectations throughout our supply chain. Suppliers are required to meet the same environmental, social and governance standards we apply internally, aligned with our 2030 sustainability targets. At the same time, we actively support the communities around our sites in Spain, South Africa, the United States, Germany and other regions.
These five pillars are translated into nearly 200 initiatives each year, deployed across business units and geographies. While coordination takes place at the corporate level, implementation is adapted to local conditions to ensure relevance and effectiveness,” explains Carlos.
From policy to action
Concrete initiatives include updates to the Acerinox Code of Conduct, the launch of a strengthened ethical reporting channel, and comprehensive programmes to improve occupational health and safety performance. These include global safety culture initiatives, such as its Cardinal Rules programme, as well as targeted actions to support gender diversity and develop female talent.
“In 2025, we strengthened our climate commitments by setting a 45% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, compared with a 2021 baseline. This target is aligned with the Paris Agreement and science-based methodologies. A detailed transition plan supports this ambition, covering capital expenditure, operational expenditure, energy efficiency measures and economic impacts. Progress is monitored continuously.”
“We have also implemented a new sustainability supplier assessment, requiring all suppliers to undergo ESG screening. Suppliers are evaluated to ensure alignment with our corporate values and sustainability commitments.”
Sustainable products: from commitment to market reality
Acerinox’s new flagship sustainable product initiative is EcoACX® stainless steel, which demonstrates how sustainability can be embedded directly into product value.
EcoACX® is defined by three key performance indicators:
- More than 90% recycled content in raw materials;
- 100% renewable electricity used in production;
- A 50% reduction in CO2 intensity, including Scope 1, 2 and upstream Scope 3 emissions, compared with standard Acerinox products (cradle-to-gate).
Achieving these targets requires the use of low-carbon ferroalloys, increased recycled content and optimised production processes. While challenging, this is already a commercial reality. Each EcoACX® product is independently verified by SGS, providing customers with certified assurance against these KPIs.
EcoACX® products are available across a wide range of applications and sectors, supporting customers in reducing their own carbon footprints and meeting sustainability objectives.
Market response and industry leadership
Market demand for low-carbon stainless steel is clearly increasing.
“Initially, interest came from a limited number of forward-looking customers. Today, demand is expanding across multiple sectors as sustainability becomes a source of competitive differentiation. Notably, it is often industry leaders – companies already at the forefront of their markets – that are now seeking leadership in CO2 reduction,” explains Carlos.
“Different sectors adopt different strategies. For example, heat exchanger manufacturers often focus on reducing the carbon footprint of entire installations, while others prioritise specific product lines or facilities. What they share is a recognition that material choice plays a critical role.”
“We see our role not only as a supplier, but as a partner. By providing verified low-carbon products, we enable customers to progress on their own sustainability pathways. This is reflected in the EcoACX® message: “Be part of the solution.” Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and every stakeholder who chooses EcoACX® contributes to that solution.”
A long-term commitment
While a dedicated sustainability department and Board-level sustainability committee were established in 2020, along with its initial 2030 targets, Acerinox has continued to strengthen its approach over the past four years. Policies have been refined, targets reviewed, and initiatives expanded.
“Balancing long-term climate objectives with day-to-day operational competitiveness remains one of the greatest challenges. Early emission reductions are often the easiest; further progress requires innovation, investment and careful economic evaluation. Sustainability must reinforce, not undermine, industrial competitiveness,” concludes Carlos.
“Nevertheless, growing market uptake of EcoACX® products and increasing customer engagement confirm that sustainability-driven innovation is both necessary and commercially viable.”
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