Orrcon Steel Manufacturing and Australian Steel Institute Announce Inaugural Scholarship Winner



“As someone who has worked at the intersection of quality management, sustainability, and manufacturing for many years, I’ve witnessed a significant shift in expectations around environmental responsibility. Today, delivering reliable, high-quality products is no longer enough. Customers, government bodies, and the broader community are demanding transparency, accountability, and measurable action toward sustainability.”
At Orrcon Steel Manufacturing, we’ve embraced this challenge. When customers choose our products, they can be confident that those products are considered “Best Practice” materials under the Green Star Responsible Products Framework from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Our Australian-made steel is backed by independently verified certifications and credentials, positioning us to support major infrastructure projects, from Olympic venues and government schools to hospitals, transport, and renewable energy developments.
Defining Supply Chain Sustainability at Orrcon Steel Manufacturing
For us, supply chain sustainability goes beyond reducing emissions. It’s about building trust through a system that ensures the materials we source and the processes we run meet social, ethical, and environmental standards. Our approach includes:
Ethical Sourcing
- Guided by a Modern Slavery Policy
- Ensures compliance with legal and environmental regulations
Responsible Resource Use
- Continuous monitoring of material and energy consumption
- Active efforts to reduce carbon intensity and environmental impact
Traceability & Transparency
- Full visibility of material origins and processing methods
Trusted Partnerships
- Steel coils sourced from our parent company, BlueScope, Port Kembla Steelworks
- Port Kembla Steelworks is a ResponsibleSteel™ certified site.
Turning Commitments into Action: Our Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability at Orrcon Steel Manufacturing is not just a statement, it’s a set of measurable actions. We are progressing toward a 30% reduction in emissions intensity by 2030, benchmarked against 2018 levels. This journey involves refining existing processes and investing in smarter technologies.
Recent initiatives include:
- Energy efficiency improvements in electroplating (Allgal®) and pipe welding
- Installation of a large solar array at our O’Sullivan Beach South Australia site. (shout out to our local partner Tindo Solar Panel)
- Integration of energy efficiency into all capital expenditure decisions.
We also recognise that the steel we source represents the largest share of our carbon footprint. That’s why we partner with BlueScope, which has a goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 [1]. Their efforts such as increasing recycled scrap content, improving process efficiency, and investing in projects like the NeoSmelt, directly enhance the sustainability of our supply chain.
Credentials and certifications that can inform decision-making
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
- Independently verified and compliant with ISO 14025:2006 and EN 15804:2012+A2:2019/AC:2021
- Provides a detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) of our products
Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) Level 1 Certification
- Confirms compliance with governance, environmental, and OHS standards required by the Standard
- Verifies responsible sourcing of steel feedstock
BlueScope (steel supply) certifications
- ISO 14001, ResponsibleSteel™ site certification (Port Kembla Steelworks), WorldSteel Climate Action Data Collection Program
- ISO 9001 certification
- NATA-accredited testing laboratory
- ACRS certification for structural tube
Building a more sustainable future, together
At Orrcon Steel Manufacturing, our “You Ask, We Deliver” philosophy is driving transformation across the steel value chain. From reducing our own emissions through smarter processes and solar investment, to sourcing from a partner like BlueScope, who is piloting lower-emissions ironmaking technologies, we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable future.
For our customers, whether builders, distributors, or government projects, this means confidence that choosing Orrcon Steel Manufacturing products today contributes to a more sustainable tomorrow.
Together, we’re not just meeting compliance requirements. We’re helping build a stronger, and more responsible future for our industry and the communities we serve.
