Managing Tramp and Alloy Elementsto Maintain Metal Value Over Multiple Lifecycles

Sammanfattning

This bachelor thesis investigates how the value of alloying elements in steel scrap can be preserved over multiple lifecycles by improving tramp element management, product design, and information flows. Focus is placed on seven selected elements Cu, Ni, Mo, Cr, Mn, Sn, and P which can act as either valuable alloys or unwanted impurities depending on the specifications of final steel produced. To ground the analysis, a washing machine was used as a case study representing an End-of-Life flow. The study also examines how EU legislation such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive, influences circularity in the steel sector. A literature review and a simplified model in Excel were used to estimate the material value and CO₂ impact under different scenarios. The results show that improved sorting and traceability can reduce the need for dilution with virgin materials, yielding both economic and environmental benefits. The thesis further emphasizes the importance of stakeholder collaboration and stronger incentives to enable functional recycling and support the transition to a circular economy for steel.