Oppsirk are dedicated to industrialize a circular value chain for up cycled maritime steel.
Oppsirk is a R&D project, driven by a consortium of leading industry players. It is financed by the industry and the Norwegian government. The ambition is to industrialize an industry producing the world’s most environmental friendly steel products from up cycled maritime steel.
Photo: Af Offshore Decom, at Environmental base Vats
Consortium partners
Project owner, AF Offshore Decom
Leadership
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John Jacobsen
Project lead from Nordic Circles / RJ
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Adrian Liltved
Project manager from RJ
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Johannes Thrane
Project owner from AF Offshore Decom
What is up cycling of maritime steel?
Up cycling of maritime steel means creating new products from existing steel plates. The process involves cutting plates from ships in the decommissioning process, re-certifying them, and produce new products at existing steel production facilities. The result is steel products with almost zero emissions. The products have the same quality (or better) as conventional steel products.
Photo: Oppsirk partner Oslo Bygg and Nordic Circles inspecting up cycled steel beams at Loren Flerbrukshall, Oslo
Who needs up cycled steel?
The construction industry accounts for 40% of global carbon emissions, with steel and concrete being the biggest challenges. We have demonstrated that Norwegian industry can reduce carbon emissions from steel products by 90% by using our steel products. Norwegian Building Authority say that one ton of new steel = 2.8 tons CO₂e, while up cycled steel emits only 0.17 tons CO₂e.
Photo: AF Offshore Decom. Decommission at AF Offshore Decom environmental base Vats, Norway.
A golden oportunity for the maritime industry
In Europe we need more decommission capacity as half of the fleet needs replacing in the next 15 years. At the same time steel is becoming a limited resource. Both Norway and the EU need to secure a reliable access to steel. Ships within the EU provide an important material bank, worth billions if we build the capacity to take them in.
Up cycling can increase access and capacity by giving European yards an environmental friendly and profitable business opportunity within decommission. A great place to start is along the Norwegian coastline. Here the maritime industry has developed the world’s most climate-friendly decommissioning facilities, and its the home to some of the world leading maritime companies. Norway is also a global shipping nation. Measured in value, Norwegian shipowners have the fifth largest fleet in the world. DNB is the largest shipping bank in the world.
Photo: Photo: AF Offshore Decom. Cut out steel plates. Decommission at AF Offshore Decom environmental base Vats, Norway.
The value of up cycled steel is tenfold scrap steel
Scrap steel is traded on the London exchange and has historically been priced between 3–4 NOK per kilogram. Up cycled steel as construction products, however, is sold for around 30 NOK per kilogram. The up cycle potential of ships are at the moment between 20 – 30% of the steel weight, making it the most valuable opportunity in decommission.
Oppsirk is as initiative from Nordic Circles. The company has been recognized globally, earning accolades such as "World Changing Idea" by FastCompany and features in TEDx and industry-leading publications.
Oppsirk is an initiative from the founders of Nordic Circles