Data Overview: Steel in the Construction Sector

Construction site with crane and steel structure of an industrial building.

April 23, 2026 | Reading time: 4 minutes

Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world—and continues to set records as a building material. A look at some surprising statistics. And at a medieval hardening method that still fascinates scientists today.

Recycling symbol with concrete blocks and flowers on green meadow.

of the structural steel used in Germany is recycled. Globally, steel is the most commonly recycled material. The reason: The material can be reprocessed and reused as many times as needed. The German steel industry recycles approximately 20 million tons of steel and iron scrap annually.

15,000m²

of the Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building at 828 meters — was clad in stainless steel. 39,000 tons of reinforcing steel provide its structural integrity.

Burj Khalifa in Dubai skyline against orange-yellow sky.

Construction site with yellow crane and construction workers in front of high-rise skyline.

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the construction industry is the steel manufacturers' largest customer. It is followed by the automotive industry (25 percent) and mechanical engineering (12 percent).

Did you know that …

… lard hardens iron into steel?

Scientists at the University of Tartu (Estonia) tested a historical method of steel production. A Benedictine monk named Theophilus had hardened iron with lard in the 12th century. The researchers therefore coated iron plates with the lard, wrapped them in wild boar skin and leather straps, and heated them. Metallographic result: The carbon from the fat and the skin had penetrated deep into the iron.