The curves of Europe’s longest cycle bridge are made from XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel

A new cycle and pedestrian bridge is being built in Esch, the 2022 European capital of culture and Luxembourg’s second city. This project is part of the overall development of the national cycling network, which includes linking Esch to Luxembourg City.

The carbon footprint of the whole project was a key element for the public authorities, from the choice of the route to the materials used to make it. Steel is unique in its infinite recyclability, and with ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel, it has very low embodied carbon – approximately 300kg of CO2 per tonne of finished steel when made from 100% scrap and using renewable electricity. All these elements contributed to the selection of our steel for this project. However, our technical expertise was also requested to shape the curves of the bridge.

Engineer Pierpaolo Rossetto, Order Manager of Cimolai, ArcelorMittal’s client for the pedestrian bridge project, said: “At Cimolai, as a global operator in design, supply and erection of complex steel structures, we have a role to play in decarbonising the construction market. By purchasing XCarb® recycled and renewably produced beams, we could both follow our company’s vision of decarbonised construction works, and meet the needs of our customers who are also increasingly keen to do their bit to make our world more sustainable for the next generations.”

Arcorox® and XCarb®: the perfect, sustainable match

When designed with Arcorox® weathering steel together with XCarb® recycled and renewably produced, a bridge meets all cost, design and strength requirements, while achieving tomorrow’s most stringent embodied carbon and safety targets.

A bridge with Arcorox® sections is designed to last: no need for a protective coating now or in the future: maintenance is low, safety and usage remain high.

A bridge with XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel is sustainable: to produce it, ArcelorMittal uses up to 100 percent scrap and electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind power. Its carbon footprint as low as 0.3 tonnes of CO2e per tonne of steel product when using 100% scrap, is supported by a published environmental product declaration.

All you need to know about the pedestrian bridge

The bicycle and pedestrian bridge, linking Esch-sur-Alzette to Esch-Belval, will be the longest one of its kind in Europe (1.2km long, 4.5m wide, at 7.5m from ground). The main segment between Esch/Alzette and Belval is expected to be completed this year. It will adapt to its environment and be built to fit into the existing landscape.

The order is made up of three lots of steel products, some topped with impressive fabrication work. However every single tonne of steel has been requested – and will be delivered – in our innovative range of Arcorox® weathering steel, with the low CO2 emissions of XCarb® recycled and renewably produced label.

Click here to take a virtual ride,or watch the two webcams.

To find out more about Europe’s longest cycle bridge, click here: The curves of Europe’s longest cycle bridge are made from XCarb<sup>®</sup> recycled and renewably produced steel - ArcelorMittal Europe