Metals play a key role in the structural function of a building and infrastructure projects, and are used across facades, services, electrical systems and many other applications. Different metal types serve different structural and functional purposes, and the environmental impact varies significantly depending on material type, production route and recycled content.

As a rule of thumb, if you have an EPD, search for the EPD number first. If the data is eligible for use in your calculation tool, it will most likely already be available.

Metal products can be found by free-text search or using the pre-defined material filter: Steel and other metals, then selecting the specific type of metal or metal product.

The environmental impact of reinforcement steel is driven primarily by its recycled content, since electric arc furnace (EAF) production using scrap steel has a substantially lower footprint than primary basic oxygen furnace (BOF) production from virgin ore. Datasets are available at nine recycled content levels: 0%, 15%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 97% (typical), and 100%. Choose the level that reflects the actual or specified scrap content of the product. If unknown, the 97% dataset is a reasonable default for most European and North American markets where EAF production dominates.

Reinforcing meshes are available as welded steel mesh (8 mm bars at 200×200 mm, 5.8 kg/m²), galvanized welded mesh (A252-type, 5.95 kg/m²), polypropylene mesh (0.12 kg/m²) and alkali-resistant fibreglass mesh (0.16 kg/m²).

For prestressed concrete, note that high-tensile prestressing strand typically contains virgin steel and will have a higher footprint than standard rebar. Use the 0% recycled content dataset as a conservative proxy if no product-specific EPD is available.

For stainless steel rebar in high-exposure environments, use the stainless steel datasets described below.

Structural steel profiles (I, H, U, L and T sections in S235/S275/S355) are available at multiple recycled content levels. Cold-rolled hollow steel sections (HSS) are available as a separate dataset. Steel plate and closed sections, and structural steel rolled section, are also available. As with rebar, recycled content is the primary variable: choose the level that matches the specification or supply chain, and note that global average recycled content for structural steel is typically in the 35–55% range.

Steel sheet pile (72.6 kg/m) is available for retaining wall and cofferdam applications.

Steel formwork is available in single-sided configuration with steel fixtures, and wooden formwork with steel fixtures is available as a separate dataset.

Hot-dip galvanized steel sheets are available at multiple recycled content levels. Galvanised profiled sheet, galvanised steel support framing, and galvanised steel stud framing profiles (per m², including UD and CD profiles and air gap) are available for lightweight steel frame and cladding support applications.

Galvanized steel guardrail is available in seven section weights from 18.5 kg/m to 112.5 kg/m. Galvanized steel bollards, chain-link fencing, razor wire and barbed wire are available for perimeter and security applications. Galfan-coated and polymer-coated barbed wire are also available.

For electrical containment and conduit, galvanized steel cable trays (standard, medium-duty and heavy-duty), cable ladders, cable trunking, underfloor cable trunking and three wall-thickness conduit grades (EMT, IMC, RMC) are available. Galvanized steel ventilation ducting in circular and rectangular formats with a full range of fittings is also available.

Steel staircases are available in straight, spiral and modular scaffold configurations. Steel doors (fire-rated with mineral wool core), steel curtain rolling doors, steel electrical equipment enclosures, office cabinets, junction boxes and a range of fixing and fastener datasets (bolts, screws, nails, brackets, fixing plates) cover ancillary steel applications.

Stainless steel pipes are available across a wide diameter range for services, drainage and process piping. Stainless steel sanitary ware datasets cover wall-hung toilet bowls, cistern toilets, wall-hung urinals, wall-mounted, countertop, floor-standing and inset round washbasins, and recessed shower trays, relevant for buildings with hygiene-critical specifications. Stainless steel grease interceptors are available from 0.5 l/s to 20 l/s. Stainless steel bollards, razor wire, cable ties and storage tanks (double-wall) cover site and infrastructure applications. Stainless steel suspended ceiling systems are available for hygienic ceiling applications. Facade cladding panels in stainless steel are also available.

Steel facade cladding panels are available powder-coated. Aluminium facade cladding panels are available in powder-coated and anodised finishes, each in multiple thickness and weight variants. Titanium zinc facade cladding panels are available. Galvanized steel facade cladding panels are also included.

Aluminium curtain wall systems are available in both stick and unitised configurations with a full range of glazing options: clear float, coated, laminated, tempered, and combinations, all double-glazed. Aluminium-framed windows are available double-glazed and triple-glazed, operable and fixed, at 0% and 50% recycled aluminium content. Aluminium entrance doors, skylights (triple-glazed, at 0%, 31%, 50% and 100% recycled aluminium), and sliding patio doors (double and triple-glazed, at 0% and 40% recycled aluminium) are also available.

For aluminium, the most important variables are the manufacturing technology scenario (world average or European average) and the recycled content. Cast aluminium slabs and billets are available at 0% to 100% recycled content in 10% increments, for both world average and European average production technology, giving 22 datasets in total. Extruded aluminium profiles for window and door frames are available as a generic dataset. Aluminium sheets are available as a generic dataset.

The European grid scenario generally gives a lower footprint than the world average due to a cleaner energy mix for primary aluminium smelting. If the product is manufactured in Europe, use the European scenario. If origin is unknown, the world average dataset is the more conservative choice.

Aluminium busbars (tubular, 33–400 kV) and overhead line conductors (AAC, in sizes from 16 mm² to 1000 mm²) cover electrical and transmission applications.

Copper pipe is available across a wide diameter range for plumbing and heating applications. Copper sheet and wire rod are available as generic datasets.

Copper catenary and contact wires are available in multiple alloy types and cross-sectional areas: copper, copper-silver, copper-magnesium, copper-tin, copper-cadmium, phosphor bronze and aluminium-clad steel (ACS), for electrified rail and overhead line applications. Copper and aluminium droppers for overhead contact systems are available in multiple cross-sectional areas.

Copper conductors are used throughout the cable datasets: building installation cables, control cables (unshielded, foil-shielded, braid-shielded and armoured SWA), connecting cables, installation cables (PVC and halogen-free LSZH), low-voltage stranded single-core cables, and medium and high-voltage underground and submarine power cables.

Copper flat busbars are available at 100, 300, 500 and 1000 mm² (275–1700 A) for LV distribution applications.

Phosphor bronze (tin bronze) is available as cast parts, sheet and wire rod. Aluminium bronze is available in the same three forms. Bearing bronze is available as cast parts, sheet and wire rod. These cover bushings, bearings, marine hardware and specialist structural connectors.

Cast iron and electrolytic iron are available as datasets, relevant for historic restoration, drainage and specialist castings.

Metal suspended ceiling datasets cover several system types: aluminium lay-in, clip-in acoustic aluminium, hook-on steel plank, expanded mesh steel, acoustic perforated steel, and stainless steel hygienic ceiling systems. Each is a distinct dataset so the system type should match the actual specification.

Use the dataset that most closely reflects typical production in the supply region. For European projects, a recycled content in the 40–60% range is representative of average EAF/BOF production mix. For projects where low-carbon steel is being specified, use the highest available recycled content dataset and document the assumption.

Primary aluminium smelting is highly energy-intensive, so the carbon footprint depends strongly on the electricity grid used in production. The European average dataset reflects a cleaner grid than the world average. If the product is sourced from outside Europe or the origin is unknown, the world average dataset is the more conservative and defensible choice.

One Click LCA provides complete curtain wall system datasets that include both the frame and the glazing unit. These are the preferred approach where the system matches the specification. If the specific glazing type or frame configuration differs, the individual aluminium profile and IGU datasets can be combined instead.