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:
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Tom Angus on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of 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.
- (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
What is Decarb Connect?
Examining the strategies and deployments around decarbonisation in hard to abate sectors, we speak with CEOs, heads of corporate strategy, CTOs, Innovation/R&D, project directors & heads of carbon management from around the world. Hosted by Alex Cameron of the Decarbonization Leaders Network and Decarb Connect & produced by Janno Media.