Ruukki and other leading European steel companies and steel construction organizations signed in Brussels a charter to promote sustainable, energy efficient steel construction. Because in Europe buildings account for a higher share of total energy consumption than even transport or industry, the group aims to promote steel as a sustainable, adaptable, completely recyclable and reusable material. It is believed that promoting steel construction can reduce the lifecycle energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of buildings and help to prevent climate change. Prefabricated structures shorten construction time and increase materials efficiency, and research is being done into the development of steel structures suitable for low and zero energy buildings and the utilization of ground source solar heat and energy coatings.
