Two dates, one week, and between them they do a lot for the commercial case for reused steel.

At the Cliff Edge

Since 1 July, the UK has cut tariff-free import quotas against the old safeguard regime and anything arriving above quota pays a 50% tariff. I wrote about the Steel Strategy back in March when this was announced. It’s now active and the industry is finding out what it means in practice.

The measure covers a variety of product categories, including those that matter to construction of buildings… angles, sections, hollow sections and rebar. Quotas are quarterly and first come, first served1.

But what has softened the blow so far is a transitional exemption for goods contracted before 14 March - pay no out-of-quota duty and your tonnage does not count against the quota at all. That exemption runs for just over four more weeks. From 1 October, every tonne competes for the same shrinking quota.

New imported steel will be scarcer, more expensive and probably slower to arrive.

The Reuse Hedge

At Circular Steel UK 2026 in June, one of our four themes was the economics of steel reuse. The very broad brush position has long been that reclaimed steel is roughly cost-neutral or a slight premium - what you save on material you tend to give back in testing, certification, storage and programme contingency. Of course don’t forget the value of it being ultra low carbon!

But maybe the maths is moving. Reclaimed steel is already in the country… no quota, no tariff, no shipping, no currency risk, no critical-quota security to lodge, no long lead time that might land in the wrong quarter. Every pound added to the price of new steel is a pound of headroom for the reuse supply chain to invest in what it actually needs: proper testing regimes, stockholding, material passports and fabricators comfortable working with reclaimed sections.

“Origin Unknown”

Switching back to government buying... it recently published its revised guidance on procuring steel in government contracts which kicks in 1 October and affects any project worth £10m or more or needing more than 500 tonnes of steel. For these projects, buyers must tag the contract notice with the origin of their steel (STEEL-ORIGIN: UK, NON-UK, MIXED or NOT YET KNOWN) and explain themselves where the answer is not YES.

For a section pulled out of a 1980s office block in London and put back to work a couple of miles away, what do you select? It was almost certainly made in Britain, but not in any way UK Steel’s catalogue can evidence (no mill certificate). NOT YET KNOWN is closer to the truth but reads like a failure. There is no good box for reused steel.

The fix would be small: a fifth tag. STEEL-ORIGIN: REUSED. It would cost the government nothing. It would give reclaimed steel a legitimate answer instead of a shrug, and it would start generating really useful hard data on how much of it is actually happening.

To be clear…

Higher steel prices raise the cost of building full stop, and projects that do not happen use no steel at all, new or reused.

The same steel strategy leans heavily on EAF, which will be hungry for scrap. That puts a floor under the value of steel coming out of demolition, but it also means the melter is now competing with the reuser for the same beam. Couple this with fracturing global steel trade and it reinforces that reuse remains the higher-value, lower-carbon route for structural sections and should be the chosen route when it can be done efficiently (that’s where we need the reused supply chain to deliver).

Final Thought

If you are pricing a frame this quarter, get a reclaimed option on the tender list before 30 September. It’s a hedge against a 50% tariff and a quota lottery you do not control. And if you are anywhere near a public sector job, ask your client what they intend to put in the origin field if any of your steel is reclaimed.

And here is the headline from the day: nobody was debating whether steel reuse works any more. Three years ago, that argument still needed making. This year, the conversation was about scaling: contracts, prices, procurement windows, standards, supply. Steel reuse has grown up.

A few teasers

We have just published a full multi-page summary of the event, covering every keynote, all ten burst presentations, three panels and the our five roundtables. A few things to whet your appetite:

• The scale of the opportunity is stark. Reused steel currently meets around 0.3% of UK demand for typical open sections. Set that against research showing reuse can cut embodied emissions by up to 97% compared with new steel, and you can see why the room was full.

• The economics session put real numbers on the table. New steel at £900-1,000 per tonne and up £300-400 since January. Dismantling premiums, fabrication uplifts, and the design decisions that make the difference between reuse costing broadly nothing extra and costing serious money. The short version: decide early and the economics work.

• Policy is moving. The City of London wants to be a circular city by 2040 and 56% of its major applications last year were retrofit projects. Government told us the Circular Economy Growth Plan is close to publication, and that cost is not the main barrier to reuse. Visibility and awareness are.

• And the day ended with a challenge: steel reuse cannot thrive alone inside a linear economy. Concrete, bricks and facades need to catch up, and the Cross Industry Reuse Summit on 4 November at the British Library is where that conversation goes next.

Where to find everything

The full event summary is now available on the website, alongside photos from the day, highlight film, films from our platinum sponsors Elliott Wood and Maconda, and recordings of the keynotes and panel sessions. Follow the Circular Steel LinkedIn page so you do not miss them.

A huge thank you once again to our sponsors, speakers, roundtable hosts and everyone who attended. If you were there, you already know. If you were not, the summary is the next best thing, and Circular Steel UK returns on 23 June 2027.

Summary Report

Tickets

The day is built around four themes:
→ The State of Steel Reuse
→ From Steel Strategy to Decisions
→ Delivering Steel Reuse in Practice
→ The Economics of Steel Reuse

But it’s not just about the main stage. Alongside the keynote sessions, we’ll also have:

• roundtables exploring topics such as supply constraints, commercial models and project delivery

• practical clinics hosted by organisations actively delivering steel reuse today

• case study displays showcasing projects, research and innovation from across the industry

• plenty of time for networking and conversation

The steel landscape is changing quickly. UK Steel Strategy, carbon targets, EAF production, procurement decisions, supply chains and steel reuse are all evolving at pace.

If you want to understand what’s happening, meet the people shaping it and help influence what comes next, this is the room to be in.

📅 Wednesday 24th June 2026
📍 London

Tickets

Maconda is a Platinum Sponsor of Circular Steel UK 2026. This is great news itself, but in this piece you will read how they are working with GPE to keep pushing steel reuse in London and beyond.

Tickets for Circular Steel UK 2026 on 24th June are available now. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear from Maconda and GPE at a full day event focused on the circular economy of steel.

Get your ticket

Steel reuse is one of the most valuable circular economy opportunities in the construction sector today. As the industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonise, recovering and reusing structural steel offers immense carbon savings. Steel reuse, when done right, can massively reduce embodied carbon emissions by up to 97% vs new, and is ten times less carbon intensive than recycling.

GPE are already recognised as innovators in the steel reuse space, with their groundbreaking steel recovery at City Place House and successful reuse of steel at 30 Duke Street, where. 78% of the new structural frame consisted of reused and repurposed steel, setting new benchmarks for what’s possible in London’s commercial property sector.

The Next Chapter in Steel Reuse?

Maconda are pleased to announce a partnership with GPE to take steel reuse to the next level. We will leverage the remaining c. 200 tonnes of steel from GPE stock to help decarbonise other GPE projects and more importantly the wider industry, hoping that this transparency will help others do the same.

The collaboration will demonstrate how technical expertise, supply chain collaboration, and digital Material Passports can facilitate a smoother and more innovative design and procurement process. GPE intend to reuse some of the remaining stock at St Thomas Yard, their deep retrofit scheme in Southwark, that embodies the principles of the circular economy.

With Maconda, GPE will not only continue to explore the efficient reuse of steel on their own portfolio but also publicise the remaining stock so that it can be used to best effect across the wider circular economy market.

A Model for the Future

This partnership opens new opportunities for steel reuse across London. By combining GPE’s reuse leadership and market position with Maconda’s Material Passport and reuse expertise, Maconda are developing a model that will help guide steel reuse into the future.

Available steel stock is ready for your projects. Contact Maconda to find out more about specifications, quantities, and how they can support your decarbonisation goals.

Get in Touch with Maconda

Maconda representatives will be attending Circular Steel UK 2026:

• James Adams, Director

• Tom Howarth, Steel Reuse Lead

info@macondasolutions.com

1. The State of Steel Reuse

2. From Strategy to Decisions

3. Delivering Steel Reuse in Practice

4. The Economics of Steel Reuse

Get your ticket

Alongside the main sessions, we’ll also have:
→ roundtables
→ technical clinics
→ networking spaces
→ and a dedicated area for printed project case studies…

…And that’s where this post comes in.

We’re looking for steel reuse case studies to feature on the day

This year, we want to showcase a broad range of projects, ideas and lessons from across the industry through a curated display of printed A1 boards around the venue.

These could include:

• completed projects

• live projects

• pilot studies

• research pieces

• testing or innovation work

• logistics/process stories

• procurement or strategy examples

• successes, challenges or lessons learned

Importantly, this doesn’t need to be a “perfect” project. Some of the most useful conversations come from honest reflections on what worked, what didn’t and what the industry still needs to solve.

Collaboration encouraged

Where possible, I’d strongly encourage organisations to collaborate on submissions. Not only does this help avoid duplication, it usually creates a much stronger and more balanced story.

Circular steel only happens when the supply chain works together — and the case studies should reflect that too.

We’ve prepared a simple PowerPoint template already set up to A1 dimensions. Once complete, please return submissions* to hello@circularsteel.com by 10th June 2026.

Download the Template

Looking ahead to the event

This year’s event is shaping up to be the strongest yet, with participation from across the supply chain including developers, contractors, engineers, fabricators, steel producers, demolition specialists, government and researchers.

🎟️ if you haven’t already, book your place here.

Looking forward to seeing the submissions — and hopefully seeing many of you in London on 24th June.

*Please note: submitting a case study does not guarantee inclusion on the day. Selected submissions will receive confirmation by 12th June 2026.

On 24th June in London, we’re bringing together the pioneers of steel reuse to bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Due to the growth of this community, we’ve secured extra space compared to previous years, allowing us to host more delegates and provide more dedicated zones for learning and networking.

Tickets

What to expect from the day:

• The State of Steel Reuse: A reality check on where the market stands today, analysing the progress made and the key challenges still shaping the landscape.

• The Economics of Reuse: How to make steel reuse stack up commercially, diving into cost structures, risk mitigation and long-term value.

• Case Study Display Zone: New for this year, we’ll have a dedicated area featuring deep-dives into successful reuse projects and initiatives. You can browse these case studies at your own pace to see exactly how others are navigating technical and logistical hurdles.

• From Strategy to Decisions: Policy and carbon targets are shifting rapidly and potentially sending mixed signals to the market when it comes to steel. We’ll explore how leading organisations are considering their procurement and design decisions in real-time.

• Delivering Practice: Lessons from the coalface. This session focuses on the execution of reuse within live projects, covering everything from recovery to redesign.

• Interactive Clinics & Roundtables: Get your specific questions answered by experts in our clinics and join small-group discussions hosted by industry leaders.

Of course, we’ll be closing the day with drinks on the roof terrace - the perfect setting to connect with the people actually making circularity happen.

Tickets

Read the Strategy

To get there, the government is introducing some of the most protective trade measures we’ve seen in decades - including slashing import quotas by 60% and doubling tariffs to 50% for anything over that limit.

But beyond the high-level politics of “national security” and “trade shields,” what does this actually mean for those of us in the world of Circular Steel and scrap/recycling?

Keep the Scrap

The strategy explicitly confirms that Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) are the future of British steelmaking. With Tata’s transition at Port Talbot well underway, our domestic demand for scrap is about to skyrocket. Remember the only EAF in the country right now is in cardiff, at the 7 Steel UK facility.

Currently, the UK is a massive exporter of scrap. The strategy announces a cross-government working group (launching in May) specifically tasked with securing a “resilient and high-quality supply” of scrap for domestic furnaces.

We’ve known for a long time that scrap is a finite and well-used resource (remember this paper from last year?). If we are to hit that 50% domestic production target via EAFs, we simply cannot keep shipping our best “raw material” overseas. So expect to see some serious movement on export regulations or incentives to keep that high-grade scrap at home.

What about Reuse?

While the strategy is heavy on EAF and Recycling, it is still relatively quiet on steel reuse.

As I advocate through Circular Steel, the most carbon-efficient way to handle steel isn’t to melt it down, it’s to use it again in its current form.

While the strategy focuses on “green steel” production, the real “low-hanging fruit” for the construction industry is maintaining the value of existing structural sections. We need to ensure that the push for EAF capacity doesn’t cannibalise the stock that should be destined for direct reuse. Recycling is great, but efficient reuse of the best bits is even better.

Transition of Blast Furnaces

Importantly, and aligned to continually increasing steel demand, the strategy acknowledges that Blast Furnace (BF) production will continue for the immediate future. The government has stepped in at Scunthorpe (British Steel) to ensure these stay running while the industry transitions.

The Challenge: BFs are the source of “virgin” steel, which is often still required for specific high-grade applications that scrap-based EAFs can’t always hit (yet). The strategy mentions “practical research and innovation” to boost productivity (think carbon capture or hydrogen injection) and to try and stay within Net Zero limits.

Procurement and Supply Chains

With import quotas being slashed by 60% this summer, we are about to see a shift in procurement. By making imports more expensive and difficult, the government is forcing the hand of designers and contractors to look for UK-made steel. This push to home grown steel is slightly at odds with how some projects may have been hoping to deal with looming NZCBS limits, by purchasing low carbon EAF steel from the continent.

Given the UK EAFs aren’t online yet (Tata’s EAF isn’t expected until 2027/28), we could face a “supply gap.” Perhaps this will make Circular Steel look even more commercially attractive. If you can’t get new, low carbon EAF UK steel and you can’t afford imported steel, then do those refurbished sections in the yard start looking like a very sensible option?

The Steel Strategy attempts to reverse “decades of de-industrialisation.” For the circular economy, the focus on scrap is welcome, but we must remember to be a reuse nation as well as a recycling nation.

No doubt this will be a topic of discussion at the Circular Steel UK 2026 event on Wednesday 24th June. Grab a ticked now…

Circular Steel UK 2026

Super Early Bird tickets for Circular Steel UK 2026 end on Friday (20th March)

If you’re planning to join us on 24th June 2026 in London, now’s the moment to lock in the lowest ticket rate.

Grab your ticket here

Momentum for the event is building strongly. We’re delighted to have some fantastic sponsors confirmed who are helping to shape the programme and support the Circular Steel movement. These organisations represent leaders across engineering, construction, fabrication and materials — all committed to making steel reuse practical and scalable.

Platinum

• Maconda

Gold

• Cleveland Steel & Tubes

• Severfield

• Buro Happold

• HTS

Silver

• Red Construction

• EMR

• WSP

More sponsor announcements will follow soon, along with programme updates, but you can expect… main stage discussions on various topics including the cost of steel reuse, plus roundtables, clinics, case study displays and plenty of networking.

If you’re interested in sponsoring, speaking, presenting a case study, or contributing to the programme, there’s still time to get involved — just drop me a message.

Grab your ticket here

We’re planning the event for Wednesday 24 June 2026 in London, with a great venue lined up that gives us more space for workshops, roundtables and side conversations than before.

Unlike last year, we have time on our side… and I want to use that properly.

Calling for content, speakers and ideas

If you’ve got:

• a project or case study worth sharing

• a challenge the industry needs to grapple with

• research, data or tools that could help unlock reuse and recycling at scale

• or simply a strong perspective that should be in the room

…then I’d love to hear from you. Circular Steel works best when the agenda is shaped by you and we’re deliberately keeping things open at this stage.

Sponsors… let’s talk early

We’ve opened early conversations with sponsors and have some major players already confirmed, with others in discussion.

There is a range of sponsorship and participation options again - from platinum to workshops, case studies, panels and hosted discussions - and getting involved early gives you a real opportunity to help shape the day.

If you’re interested, drop me a note.

Super EarlyBird tickets now live

For those who already know they want to be there, Super EarlyBird tickets are now available on Eventbrite.

Be a Super EarlyBird

Details on the full programme, speakers and format will follow over the coming months, but for now consider this the starting gun.

If you’d like to contribute, sponsor, or simply stay close to the conversation, get in touch. More soon.

hello@circularsteel.com

Here’s a feature piece from them looking at how they have lifted entire structural floors and masterminded London’s largest steel reuse project. Elliott Wood is demonstrating how innovative circular steel strategies are transforming construction practices, delivering both environmental impact and commercial value.

Not all steel is created (carbon) equal

Reused steel is steel that has been harvested from an existing building and used in a new project. According to the IStructE, the embodied carbon impact of reused steel is significantly less than Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) and Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) produced steel.

According to the British Constructional Steelwork Association, 99% of steel across the UK is recovered. 86% is recycled and 13% is reused. But to unlock the full low-carbon potential of reused steel, its use must be scaled. At Elliott Wood, we’re proving what’s possible with two innovative, London case studies.

Lifting two floors at 20 Giltspur Street

Lifting two floors to reuse steel

Thinking ‘inside the box’ at 20 Giltspur Street

In the heart of City of London, a former Bank of America site is being transformed into a modern, sustainable workspace.

The brief called for maximising the potential of the existing building whilst minimising the environmental impacts of the works.

“We were boxed in,” explains Elliott Wood’s lead engineer for the project, Daniel Bassett. “We’re next to St Paul’s Cathedral, so we can’t build up. There are tunnels and ancient archaeological remains below, so we can’t build down. And on either side, there’s a bank, public access, and roads — so we can’t build out.”

“Why don’t we just lift the floors?”

“The constraints forced us to think inside the box,” says George Georgiou, Director at Elliott Wood. “That’s what led us to the wildcard solution — jacking up the existing floors to create space for a new one.”

Thanks to early collaboration and open minds, the project is looking to achieve:

• 30% gross area increase

• 41% net area increase

• 80% existing steel reused

• Structural embodied carbon (A1-A5) is 127 kgCO₂/m² (26.1 lbCO₂/ft²) compared to the 251 kgCO₂e/m² (51.4 lbCO₂/ft²) using the business-as-usual approach to demolish and rebuild three floors in new steelwork and metal deck slabs.

Octopus Group has agreed to pre-let the entirety of 20 Giltspur Street.

20 Giltspur Street in focus

London’s largest commercial steel reuse project

At 30 Duke Street St James’s, Elliott Wood is helping a major London developer, GPE, reclaim around 1,500 tonnes of structural steel from across their portfolio.

Using steel from the reclamation, approximately 78% of 30 Duke Street St James’s structure uses reclaimed steel, making it London’s largest commercial reuse project:

• 67% is from the donor building

• 6% is from wider EMR stock

• Sourced from Cleveland Steel Stock, 4% of the steel is reclaimed, and 1% is recovered

“The stars aligned”

“Back in 2021, we had a presentation from Gary from Elliott Wood,” says Martin Quinn, Head of Project Delivery at GPE. “He brought the subject of sustainability — more particularly, circular economy — to the table. Are there two buildings where we could take steel from and reuse it in another? As it happened, the stars aligned between what was City Place House and 30 Duke Street, Piccadilly. And there was buy-in from the top down.”

“The biggest challenge on this project was the sheer quantity of material we were aiming to reuse. It was around 440 tonnes,” says Gemima Walker, Associate Director at Elliott Wood. “So all of that material had to be tested, categorised, checked for damage, and then incorporated into our design. But we had an excellent team on board with the right expertise to solve all the technical challenges along the way.”

30 Duke Street St James’s involves:

1. Extensive retrofit investigations and the replacement of two existing buildings from the site

2. The construction of a new steel-frame 8-storey office-led scheme with flexible retail and reception area at ground floor, over a single-storey basement with retained elements of existing structure around the perimeter.

3. Industry-leading steel reuse. Approximately 78% of the structure uses reclaimed steel.

GPE has secured the pre-let of the entire office space at 30 Duke Street St James’s.

In focus: 30 Duke Street

Get in touch

Elliott Wood representatives will be attending Circular Steel USA 2025:

• Gary Elliott, Chief Executive

• Andy Downey, Board Director

• Louisa Treadwell, Associate Sustainability Consultant

If you’d like to get in touch, please contact: info@elliottwood.co.uk.

Morning Workshops: Scaling Reuse and Getting Practical

Before the main afternoon sessions, we kicked off with small-group workshops exploring the practical and strategic enablers of steel reuse.

In Workshop 1, hosted by Platinum Sponsor Elliott Wood, discussion centred around the need to scale reuse beyond individual buildings - across portfolios, regions, and entire sectors. Barriers such as procurement complexity, business model inflexibility, and inconsistent policy signals came up repeatedly. But there was also optimism: attendees recognised that shifting incentives, coupled with clearer value signals (especially around carbon), could unlock significant potential at scale.

In Workshop 3, led by the Engineers Reuse Collective, the conversation got technical - and refreshingly honest. From tolerance challenges and design constraints to stock availability and deconstruction logistics, the workshop gave voice to the many hands-on realities of reuse. A recurring theme: the sooner a project team engages with reuse - and the more flexibility they retain - the more likely it is to succeed.

One standout insight: the importance of steel supply not just from urban demolition, but also from large-scale industrial sheds, where steel sections are often more standardised and available in volume. Another: the need for engineers and designers to understand not just how to specify reuse, but how to think with it from day one.

The other workshops surfaced key barriers and opportunities across the reuse lifecycle. In Workshop 2, participants weighed up reused, recycled, and new steel - calling for better data, incentives for demolition contractors, and new business models like steel-as-a-service. Workshops 4 and 5 highlighted practical hurdles around timing, procurement, and supply chain coordination, while, Workshop 6 explored how planning policy, heritage buildings, and stronger storytelling could all help shift the narrative and unlock action.

Afternoon Sessions: Confidence, Complexity and What’s Next

The afternoon brought a shift in format, with a mix of curated panel discussions and rapid-fire burst presentations. Across the four sessions, several recurring messages emerged:

• Steel reuse is no longer theory - it’s working. From deconstruction-led design to mid-project material swaps, we heard from teams getting it done.

• There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Cost, programme, insurance and design constraints all affect reuse viability. The solution? A mix of methods, not a single model.

• Confidence is key. Whether it’s Clients backing reuse, or engineers understanding tolerances, progress depends on shifting perceptions and reducing friction.

• The market is evolving - but needs support. As one speaker noted, we can’t scale reuse if we’re relying on “hero” projects alone.

The burst session included seven short case studies. A high-energy mix of practical detail and first-hand lessons from site and design teams. From 30 Duke Street to Broadgate Tower to Timber Square, from donor buildings to steel stock integration, these talks showed just how varied, and possible, reuse can be.

Gary Elliott’s Closing Reflection

In a thoughtful closing address, Elliott Wood co-founder and CEO Gary Elliott reminded us just how far the conversation has come in five years, from “niche or laughable” to a genuine alternative to business as usual.

He highlighted three key themes from the day:

1. Confidence and certainty - the evidence is here: reuse works, and we need more of it.

2. Commercial viability - complexity is real, but manageable reuse can be cost-effective if approached early and flexibly.

3. Leadership - progress depends on people willing to push, try, fail, learn and share.

Gary also called for a broader shift, from decarbonisation to regenerative thinking, where our industry doesn’t just “do less harm,” but actively works to make things better.

A Huge Thank You

A special thanks to our headline Platinum sponsor, Elliott Wood, for their ongoing leadership and generosity in supporting Circular Steel across multiple years.

We’re also hugely grateful to our other Gold and Silver sponsors and all the attendees, speakers, workshop participants, and collaborators who made the day what it was.

We’ll be sharing a couple of short films from the event shortly. Stay tuned.

What’s Next?

We hinted at this in the room. We’re exploring plans for a Circular Steel event in Miami this November. With growing interest across North America, we’re keen to carry this momentum forward. More details soon.

And if you or your project team needs support on steel reuse - from early advice to deep technical input, you can always reach us via circularsteel.com/help

Thanks again for being part of the journey.

There are still some final tickets available to Circular Steel UK 2025 on 25th June, but be quick!

Get your ticket

20 Giltspur Street

20 Giltspur Street: Lifting two floors to reuse steel

Thinking ‘inside the box’ at 20 Giltspur Street

In the heart of London’s historic City district, a former Bank of America site is being transformed into a modern, sustainable workspace.

The brief called for maximising the potential of the existing building whilst minimising the environmental impacts of the works. "We were boxed in," explains Elliott Wood’s lead engineer for the project, Daniel Bassett. "We’re next to St Paul’s Cathedral, so we can’t build up. There are tunnels and ancient archaeological remains below, so we can’t build down. And on either side, there’s a bank, public access, and roads — so we can’t build out."

“Why don’t we just lift the floors?”

"The constraints forced us to think inside the box," says George Georgiou, Director at Elliott Wood. "That’s what led us to the wildcard solution — jacking up the existing floors to create space for a new one."

Thanks to early collaboration and open minds, the project is looking to achieve:

• 30% gross area increase

• 41% net area increase

• 80% existing steel reused

• Structural embodied carbon figures (A1-A5) of 89kgCO₂/m². For context, the 'Business as usual' low-carbon approach of new steel and timber hybrid was nearer to 150kgCO₂/m² for the same area gains.

Octopus Group has agreed to pre-let the entirety of 20 Giltspur Street.

20 Giltspur Street in focus

30 Duke Street

Proving what’s possible at 30 Duke Street St James’s

At 30 Duke Street (formerly known as 180 Piccadilly), Elliott Wood is helping GPE reclaim around 1,500 tonnes of structural steel from a 1990s building.
Using steel from the reclamation, approximately 78% of 30 Duke Street's structure uses reclaimed steel:

• 67% is from the donor building

• 6% is from wider EMR stock

• Sourced from Cleveland Steel Stock, 4% of the steel is reclaimed, and 1% is recovered

“The stars aligned”

"Back in 2021, we had a presentation from Gary from Elliott Wood," says Martin Quinn, Head of Project Delivery at GPE. "He brought the subject of sustainability — more particularly, circular economy — to the table. Are there two buildings where we could take steel from and reuse it in another? As it happened, the stars aligned between what was City Place House and 30 Duke Street, Piccadilly. And there was buy-in from the top down."

"The biggest challenge on this project was the sheer quantity of material we were aiming to reuse. It was around 440 tonnes," says Gemima Walker, Associate Director at Elliott Wood. "So all of that material had to be tested, categorised, checked for damage, and then incorporated into our design. But we had an excellent team on board with the right expertise to solve all the technical challenges along the way."

The GPE development at 30 Duke Street involves:

1. Extensive retrofit investigations and the replacement of two existing buildings from the site

2. The construction of a new steel-frame 8-storey office-led scheme with flexible retail and reception area at ground floor, over a single-storey basement with retained elements of existing structure around the perimeter.

3. Industry-leading steel reuse. Approximately 78% of the structure uses reclaimed steel.

GPE has secured the pre-let of the entire office space at 30 Duke Street St James’s.

In focus: 30 Duke Street

Get in Touch with Elliott Wood

Elliott Wood representatives will be attending Circular Steel UK 2025:

• Gemima Walker, Associate Director
  Presenting 30 Duke Street St James’s Project Burst presentations, 14:15 – 15:15

  Making Reuse Happen Panel Discussion, 15:45 – 16:45

• Daniel Bassett, Associate
  Presenting 20 Giltspur Street Project Burst presentations, 14:15 – 15:15

• Louisa Treadwell, Associate

  Facilitating workshop on 'Strategic Reuse, 09:45-10:45

• Shona Goldsmith (Virden), Senior Sustainability Consultant

  Available to provide insights on 30 Duke Street St James's wider materials sustainability strategy

With steel reuse gaining serious traction (and a few shake-ups challenging assumptions) there’s never been a more important time to come together and ask: where are we now, and what’s next?

Buy a Ticket

What to expect:

The event is built around real stories, real challenges, and real progress.

We’re bringing together everyone working to push steel reuse forward — from demolition to design, procurement to policy — for an afternoon of shared insight, practical takeaways and bold thinking. Across four powerful sessions we’ll explore reuse systems, costs, policy, and on-the-ground delivery, as well as some fast-paced burst presentations from people doing the work.

Sessions & Speakers:

• Steel without End

  Ella Warren - HTS | Will Arnold - IStructE | Bill Firth - EMR | Eoin Bailey - 7 Steel UK | Dave Chapman - ArcelorMittal | Ben Cunliffe - British Steel

• Field Notes on Reuse

  Project burst presentations from a range of contractors, engineers, fabricators and more

• Making Reuse Happen

  Tom Howarth - Circular Steel | Gemima Walker - Elliott Wood | Harry Price - Severfield | Konstantinos Tsavdaridis | City, University of London

• Steel Reuse 2.0

  Steve Gilchrist - Circular Steel | Charlotte O'Farrell - City of London Corporation | Rob Palmer - Maconda | Roy Fishwick - Cleveland Steel & Tubes | Martin Quinn - GPE

Format & Flow:

Main event starts at 13:00 (arrive from 12:30) – Panels, case studies, keynotes

Networking drinks from 18:00 – Stick around, grab a drink, and connect

📍 Venue: Storey Club, Paddington

🎟️ Tickets: £150+VAT

Who’s it for?

Whether you’re in construction, engineering, design, manufacturing, development or policy — if you care about circularity, carbon, and the future of steel, this event is for you.

Grab your ticket today and be part of the next chapter for circular steel.

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🗓️ Wednesday 25th June

With steel reuse gaining serious traction (and some recent shake-ups behind the scenes), there’s never been a more important time to come together, share insights, and ask: what’s next — and how do we keep building momentum?

This year’s main event will take place at Storey Club in Paddington, kicking off at 1pm and running into early evening drinks. Expect fresh ideas, honest conversations, and a chance to connect with others who are making circular steel a reality.

🔍 Want to get involved?

We’re shaping up some additional small-group morning workshops, and we’re still looking for main event speakers and sponsors. Drop us a line at hello@circularsteel.com if you’re interested.

🎟️ Early bird offer:

Use code Earlybird2025 for 20% off your main event ticket.

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It will only take a couple of minutes, but your feedback here will prove immensely valuable in shaping next year’s event.

Looking forward to the responses, thank you!

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Here’s the highlight film…

Case Studies

The boards that were on display throughout the day are now available to download from the website. Scroll down to find them.

Panel Sessions

Recordings of the panel sessions are available via the website. They are posted on YouTube - links below or just click here for the full 2024 playlist:

• Meeting the Demand

• Writing the Brief

• Buying the Stock

• Testing & Fabrication

• Lessons Learned

Photos

Photos from the day are on the website.

A Big Thank You

• Filming and post-production: Lithman Productions

• Photograhpy: Rob Kennard

• Helpers on the day: Zannelle Davies, Simon Cannon & Lara Lom

• And of course the amazing sponsors!!

Want more?

Got ideas on what 2025 could look like? Want to sponsor or support? Think the format could be improved? Maybe you know some international projects that should be featured? Should there be something more than once a year?

Whatever your ideas or feedback, email us at hello@circularsteel.co.uk

What distinguishes EME is its groundbreaking digital platform that seamlessly facilitates the reuse of materials, including steel. Their commitment to maximising material value while minimising environmental impact aligns perfectly with the mission of Circular Steel. EME’s cutting-edge tools, such as the Resources Passport and AI-driven matchmaking, are at the forefront of sustainable practices, setting new standards for efficiency and ecological responsibility in the industry.

Fast approaching on their development pipeline is the ability to pay and transact within the platform, plus they’re working hard to offer transaction protection to both sides which should give users peace of mind and further stimulate material reuse and exchange.

We are privileged to collaborate with EME as we advance these vital innovations in the steel sector.

Christian van Maaren, CEO and Founder of EME, leads this pioneering effort. With extensive experience in the circular economy and a strong engineering background, Christian has been instrumental in positioning EME as a key player in global sustainability initiatives, driving impactful change across industries.

Why Circular Steel

EME is dedicated to revolutionising material reuse as a core component of their commitment to sustainability. By focusing on the reuse of steel and other high value, high carbon materials, EME significantly reduces waste and the carbon emissions tied to producing new materials.

Having launched in the UK earlier this year, EME is perfectly positioned to help the construction industry unlock the circular economy and put it to work today.

Attendees at Circular Steel 2024

Christian van Maaren and Head of UK, Nitesh Magdani, will be at Circular Steel 2024.

Want to attend Circular Steel on 10th September?

There is still time! Click here to buy a ticket and we’ll see you there.

What truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to the circular economy, particularly in steel reuse - a practice that aligns perfectly with Circular Steel. By reducing environmental impact while maintaining excellence in quality and safety, Keltbray leads the way in sustainable innovation.

It’s an honour to partner with them in driving these critical advancements in the built environment.

Scott de la Fuente is leading Keltbray’s Steelwork Operations and has played a key role in some of the most complex structural steelwork projects across London and Europe, managing both temporary and permanent works.

Starting his career as a Steel Fabricator and Erector at a young age, Scott has built a strong foundation in both engineering and commercial management. His bottom-up approach has made him a recognised figure in the Central London heavy refurbishment market.

Why Circular Steel

Keltbray is focused on steel reuse as part of their broader commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact. By reusing steel, they aim to minimise waste and carbon emissions associated with producing new materials.

This practice aligns with a dedication to the circular economy, where resources are continuously repurposed rather than discarded. Through these efforts, Keltbray aims to not only enhance the sustainability of their projects but also lead the industry in adopting innovative approaches to construction that prioritise the planet.

Project and Case Studies

2 Aldermanbury Square

Keltbray is involved in the redevelopment of this site, delivering complex demolition and construction services in the heart of London’s financial district. An incredible 1500 tonnes of steel was recovered from the existing building, of which 700 tonnes is being used in the new build.

76 – 78 Upper Ground

This project includes significant demolition and construction work along the South Bank, where Keltbray is emphasising environmental responsibility and innovative engineering solutions.

31.4 tonnes of steel harvested from 2 Aldermanbury Square was used on this project - a great example of material reuse between projects.

Woolgate Exchange

Keltbray is managing the transformation of this iconic building in London, incorporating structural alterations and refurbishment to modernise the space.

The entire frame of Woolgate exchange was kept, whilst 10.7 tonnes of steel harvested from 2 Aldermanbury Square was used for new structures.

Attendees at Circular Steel 2024

Keltbray are sending some of their best people to Circular Steel 2024. Holly Price and Kiro Tamer will be speaking on two of the panels, whilst Scott will be on hand to discuss steel reuse with attendees and is saving himself for a special Client Workshop on Steel Reuse being held the following day.

Want to attend Circular Steel on 10th September?

There is still time! Click here to buy a ticket and we’ll see you there.

Why you should attend on 10th September?

💥 Learn how steel can, and is, being reused
💥 Make new connections across the industry (e.g. contracting, consulting, clients, fabrication, manufacturing...)
💥 Spot potential market opportunities and meet collaborators
💥 Hear lessons learned and case studies from others
💥 Gain insights and context - reused steel might not always be the right answer
💥 Improve awareness of steel extraction and deconstruction

Big thanks to the 2024 sponsors:

Key Details

This is an in-person event, however it will be filmed 🎥.

🗓️ When: Tuesday 10th September 2024

📍 Location: Events @ No6. Stations close-by are Aldgate East, Aldgate, Fenchurch Street, Tower Hill, Tower Gateway, Whitechapel and Liverpool Street.

🕗 Start: arrive from 08:30 to meet the sponsors and grab a bite of breakfast. The first panel will kick-off at 09:15.

🕓 End: official finish is 16:00, but you are welcome to stick around for a drink on the fantastic sixth floor terrace within the venue

♿️ Accessibility: The venue is accessible, but please contact hello@circularsteel.co.uk and more info can be provided.

Do you, or a colleague or collaborator of yours, have any stories along the lines of the scenarios below, that you would be happy to share at this year’s event?

“I remember that time when…

• …a steel frame was deconstructed but never got used”

• …a client demanded we designed using reclaimed steel but it resulted in all the wrong things”

• …my engineers told me far too late that they wanted to use reclaimed beams”

• …we came up with a reclaimed steel concept that should probably have just been new steel”

• …in hindsight, we definitely could have done the whole thing from reclaimed beams”

• …we didn’t get the procurement of reused steel right”

If so, please get in touch to talk about how we might share it with the Circular Steel 2024 audience.

✉️ hello@circularsteel.co.uk

Many thanks!

Steve

Circular Steel 2024 is on 10th September, in Adlgate.

Tickets are available here.