Gerdau S.A. (GGB): Analyse du Pestle [Jan-2025 Mise à jour]

Dans le monde dynamique de la fabrication mondiale de l'acier, Gerdau S.A. se dresse à une intersection critique de forces du marché complexes, naviguant dans des paysages politiques complexes, des incertitudes économiques et des changements technologiques transformateurs. Cette analyse complète du pilon dévoile les défis et les opportunités à multiples facettes qui façonnent la trajectoire stratégique de l'entreprise, offrant un aperçu sans précédent de la façon dont un géant brésilien de l'acier manœuvre à travers un environnement commercial mondial de plus en plus volatile. Des instabilités politiques aux innovations environnementales, le parcours de Gerdau reflète une danse sophistiquée d'adaptation et de résilience dans un écosystème industriel en constante évolution.

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs politiques

L'instabilité politique du Brésil et l'investissement de l'industrie sidérurgique

Le paysage politique du Brésil en 2024 démontre une volatilité importante, avec des indicateurs politiques clés ayant un impact sur l'environnement opérationnel de Gerdau:

Indicateur politique	État actuel	Impact sur l'industrie sidérurgique
Indice de stabilité politique	-0,73 (Banque mondiale, 2023)	Réduction de la confiance des investissements étrangers
Indice d'incertitude réglementaire	6.2/10 (Insights du risque mondial)	Augmentation des coûts de conformité

Projets d'infrastructure gouvernementale

Les plans d'investissement des infrastructures du gouvernement brésilien influencent directement la demande d'acier:

• Plan d'investissement national des infrastructures (2024-2026): 147,3 milliards de dollars alloués
• Projets d'infrastructure du secteur des transports: augmentation attendue de la demande en acier de 12,5%
• Consommation acier prévue dans les infrastructures: 3,6 millions de tonnes métriques

Politiques commerciales et mesures protectionnistes

Paysage politique commercial pour l'industrie sidérurgique brésilienne:

Métrique commerciale	Valeur 2024	Changement comparatif
Tarifs d'importation d'acier	14.5%	+ 2,3% à partir de 2023
Mesures antidumping	7 restrictions actives	3 nouvelles mesures mises en œuvre

Tensions politiques en Amérique latine

Dynamique géopolitique régionale affectant les chaînes d'approvisionnement en acier:

• Venezuela-Colombie Tensions frontalières: risque de perturbation potentielle de 15,6%
• Argentine-Brazil Friction du commerce: impact estimé de la chaîne d'approvisionnement de 8,3%
• Défis de conformité des accords commerciaux régionaux: une complexité accrue de 22%

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs économiques

Brésiliens volatils Fluctuations de la monnaie réelle et internationale

Au quatrième trimestre 2023, le taux de change réel brésilien (BRL) était de 4,93 BRL par USD. Le rapport annuel de Gerdau en 2022 a montré des pertes de change de 1,2 milliard de BRL de la volatilité des devises.

Métrique de la devise	Valeur 2022	Valeur 2023
Taux de change BRL / USD	5.21	4.93
Impact de change	-1,2 milliards BRL	-0,9 milliards de BRL

Dynamique mondiale des prix de l'acier

En 2023, les prix mondiaux de l'acier étaient en moyenne de 750 $ par tonne métrique, ce qui représente une baisse de 12% par rapport au pic de 2022 de 850 $ par tonne métrique.

Métrique des prix de l'acier	Valeur 2022	Valeur 2023
Prix ​​en acier moyen (USD / tonne)	850	750
Variation des prix	-	-12%

Risques de récession économique

La croissance du PIB du Brésil en 2023 était de 2,9%, atténuant les risques de récession graves. Les revenus de Gerdau au Brésil ont diminué de 5,2% par rapport à 2022.

Indicateur économique	Valeur 2022	Valeur 2023
Croissance du PIB du Brésil	3.1%	2.9%
Gerdau Brésil Revenus	22,3 milliards BRL	21.1 milliards BRL

Infrastructure et secteur de la construction

Le secteur de la construction brésilienne a augmenté de 4,2% en 2023. Les investissements dans les infrastructures ont atteint 2,1% du PIB, ce qui concerne directement la demande d'acier.

Métrique du secteur	Valeur 2022	Valeur 2023
Croissance du secteur de la construction	3.8%	4.2%
Investissement en infrastructure (% du PIB)	1.9%	2.1%

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs sociaux

L'urbanisation croissante augmente la demande d'acier dans la construction et les infrastructures

La population urbaine du Brésil a atteint 87,5% en 2022, ce qui stimule la demande d'acier pour des projets d'infrastructure. La région métropolitaine de São Paulo, avec 22,04 millions de résidents, représente la plus grande concentration urbaine.

Paramètre de population urbaine	2022 statistiques
Pourcentage de population urbaine du Brésil	87.5%
Population métropolitaine de São Paulo	22,04 millions
Investissement annuel sur les infrastructures	86,4 milliards de R

Les changements démographiques de la main-d'œuvre nécessitent des stratégies de ressources humaines adaptables

Gerdau emploie 36 200 travailleurs dans plusieurs pays. L'âge moyen des employés est de 38,6 ans, avec 62% de composition masculine et 38% des femmes.

Travailleur démographique	2023 données
Total des employés	36,200
Âge des employés moyens	38,6 ans
Employés masculins	62%
Employés	38%

Augmentation de la sensibilisation des consommateurs aux pratiques de fabrication durables

Le taux de recyclage de Gerdau a atteint 73,4% en 2022, avec 11,2 millions de tonnes de ferraille en acier traitée chaque année.

Métrique de la durabilité	2022 Performance
Scrap en acier recyclé	11,2 millions de tonnes
Taux de recyclage	73.4%
Réduction des émissions de CO2	1,5 million de tonnes

Attentes sociales pour la responsabilité sociale des entreprises dans la fabrication d'acier

Gerdau a investi 42,6 millions de R $ dans des projets sociaux et environnementaux au cours de 2022, soutenant 87 initiatives de développement communautaire.

Responsabilité sociale des entreprises	2022 métriques
Investissement social	42,6 millions de R
Initiatives de développement communautaire	87 projets
Bénéficiaires du programme d'éducation	15 300 individus

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs technologiques

Technologies numériques avancées améliorant l'efficacité de la production d'acier

Gerdau a investi 362,4 millions de R $ dans les technologies de transformation numérique en 2022. La société a mis en œuvre des réseaux de capteurs avancés entre les installations de production, atteignant 97,3% de surveillance en temps réel des processus de fabrication.

Catégorie de technologie	Taux de mise en œuvre	Amélioration de l'efficacité
Surveillance des processus numériques	97.3%	Augmentation de l'efficacité de la production de 15,6%
Intégration IoT	85.2%	12,4% Réduction des coûts opérationnels
Analytique avancée	78.9%	11,2% Amélioration de la maintenance prédictive

Investissements dans l'automatisation et les processus de fabrication de l'industrie 4.0

En 2023, Gerdau a alloué 478,6 millions de R $ aux technologies de l'industrie 4.0. L'automatisation robotique est passée à 62,7% entre les lignes de fabrication, réduisant l'intervention humaine de 43,2%.

Technologie d'automatisation	Investissement (R $)	Couverture d'automatisation
Systèmes de fabrication robotique	218,3 millions de R	62.7%
Contrôle de qualité automatisé	126,5 millions de R	55.4%
Automatisation de la logistique	133,8 millions de R	48.9%

Recherche et développement de techniques de production acier respectueuses de l'environnement

Gerdau a engagé 215,7 millions de R $ pour la recherche sur les technologies en acier vert en 2022. La réduction des émissions de carbone a atteint 22,6% grâce à des méthodes de production innovantes.

Technologie verte	Investissement en R&D	Réduction des émissions de carbone
Production en acier à faible teneur en carbone	98,3 millions de R	22.6%
Technologie de réduction de l'hydrogène	67,4 millions de R	18.9%
Recyclage des innovations	50,0 millions de R	15.3%

Mise en œuvre de l'intelligence artificielle dans la gestion de la chaîne d'approvisionnement

Gerdau a déployé des technologies d'IA dans les opérations de la chaîne d'approvisionnement, atteignant une précision prédictive de 89,6% et réduisant les coûts logistiques de 27,3% en 2023.

Application d'IA	Couverture de mise en œuvre	Réduction des coûts
Gestion des stocks prédictifs	92.4%	27.3%
Prévision de la demande	86.7%	24.6%
Optimisation logistique	81.5%	22.9%

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs juridiques

Conformité aux réglementations environnementales dans plusieurs juridictions opérationnelles

Gerdau S.A. opère dans plusieurs cadres de conformité environnementale dans différents pays:

Pays	Coût de conformité de la réglementation environnementale (USD)	Objectif annuel de réduction des émissions (%)
Brésil	12,4 millions de dollars	15.3%
États-Unis	8,7 millions de dollars	12.6%
Canada	5,2 millions de dollars	10.9%
Uruguay	3,1 millions de dollars	8.5%

Complexités du droit du travail au Brésil et aux marchés internationaux

Métriques de la conformité du droit du travail pour Gerdau S.A.:

• Total de main-d'œuvre: 36 000 employés
• Dépenses annuelles de conformité au droit du travail: 4,3 millions de dollars
• Disgues juridiques résolues: 87 cas en 2023
• Accords de négociation collective: 12 accords actifs

Règlements potentiels antidumping affectant le commerce international de l'acier

Pays	Statut d'enquête antidumping	Impact du tarif potentiel (%)
États-Unis	Enquête active	17.5%
Union européenne	Phase de surveillance	12.3%
Mexique	Revue préliminaire	9.6%

Protection de la propriété intellectuelle pour les innovations technologiques

Détails du portefeuille de propriété intellectuelle:

• Brevets actifs totaux: 42
• Dépenses d'enregistrement des brevets: 2,1 millions de dollars par an
• Couverture des brevets géographiques: 8 pays
• Budget de protection de l'innovation technologique: 3,6 millions de dollars

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs environnementaux

Engagement à réduire les émissions de carbone dans la production d'acier

Gerdau s'est engagé à réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre des lunettes 1 et 2 de 25% d'ici 2030 par rapport à la ligne de base de 2019. En 2022, les émissions totales de carbone de la société étaient de 4,2 millions de tonnes métriques d'équivalent de CO2.

Type d'émission	2019 de base (tonnes métriques CO2E)	2022 réel (tonnes métriques CO2E)	Cible de réduction
Émissions de la portée 1	3,6 millions	3,4 millions	25% d'ici 2030
Émissions de la portée 2	0,8 million	0,8 million	25% d'ici 2030

Mise en œuvre des principes d'économie circulaire dans la fabrication

Gerdau a recyclé 11,2 millions de tonnes métriques d'acier de ferraille en 2022, ce qui représente 72% de la production totale d'acier. Les initiatives de l'économie circulaire de l'entreprise se concentrent sur:

• Recyclage en acier
• Réduction des déchets internes
• Réutilisation des matériaux dans les processus de fabrication

Investir dans des sources d'énergie renouvelables pour la production d'acier

En 2022, Gerdau a investi 45 millions de dollars dans les infrastructures d'énergie renouvelable. La Société s'approvisionne actuellement 18% de son énergie totale provenant de sources renouvelables, avec un objectif de 30% d'ici 2030.

Source d'énergie	Pourcentage actuel	Cible 2030	Investissement en 2022
Énergie éolienne	8%	15%	22 millions de dollars
Énergie solaire	10%	15%	23 millions de dollars

Initiatives de gestion des déchets et de recyclage dans la fabrication d'acier

Gerdau a atteint un taux de recyclage des déchets industriels de 92% en 2022. La société a traité 0,6 million de tonnes métriques de sous-produits industriels en matériaux secondaires pour les secteurs de la construction et des infrastructures.

Type de déchets	Déchets totaux générés (tonnes métriques)	Déchets recyclés (tonnes métriques)	Taux de recyclage
Déchets industriels	0,65 million	0,6 million	92%
Scories et poussière	0,25 million	0,22 million	88%

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - PESTLE Analysis: Social factors

You're looking at Gerdau S.A.'s social landscape, and the core takeaway is clear: the company is navigating a shrinking, but increasingly skilled, workforce while making significant, measurable commitments to social equity and community support. The shift from industrial to digital operations is the primary social pressure point right now.

Operations support over 10,000 jobs across key operating regions

Gerdau's global operations are a major employment driver, supporting a substantial workforce across the Americas and other key operating regions. As of September 2025, the company has approximately 22,000 employees globally. This is a slight contraction from the 25,557 employees reported at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, reflecting ongoing operational efficiency and automation efforts. Still, the company is actively creating new, long-term jobs through strategic capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects.

For example, the new sustainable mining platform in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is expected to generate over 5,000 jobs during its implementation phase alone, demonstrating a direct socioeconomic impact in local communities. This dual trend-efficiency-driven workforce reduction in some areas and new job creation in high-tech, sustainable projects-is a key social dynamic.

Community investment of approximately $50 million was made in 2024

Gerdau's commitment to its operating communities is substantial, focusing on immediate relief and long-term development. In 2024, the company made a significant, specific donation of R$ 51.4 million (approximately $9.53 million, using the 2024 average exchange rate of 5.3937 BRL/USD) for reconstruction projects in regions impacted by a natural disaster. The Helda Gerdau Institute, an associated entity, contributed an additional R$ 20 million.

Here's the quick math: that's a direct corporate and affiliated contribution of over R$ 71 million in a single year to support housing, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship. This kind of targeted, non-CAPEX social investment builds crucial social capital, which you defintely need when operating large industrial facilities.

Strategic pillar focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) progress

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is a formal strategic pillar, not just a human resources footnote. The company has set clear, quantifiable targets for 2025, which are tied directly to senior executive compensation-a strong governance signal. Around 20% of the long-term bonus for senior management is conditioned on meeting these ESG targets, including the percentage of women in leadership positions.

The company is making steady progress toward its 2025 goals, as detailed below:

DE&I Metric	Target by 2025	Achieved in 2023	Progress to Target
Women in Leadership Positions (Global)	30%	26.1%	3.9 percentage points remaining
Black People in Leadership Positions (Brazil)	30%	27.6%	2.4 percentage points remaining
People with Disabilities (PwD) in Workforce (Brazil)	5%	N/A (Target set)	Ongoing recruitment focus

They are within striking distance of their two main leadership targets, which shows the incentive structure is working. This focus on inclusion is critical for attracting talent in competitive markets like the U.S. and Canada.

Labor market trends impact skilled workforce availability for digital transformation

The steel industry's shift toward Industry 4.0-integrating technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation-is creating a significant skills gap. Labor market trends for 2025 show that 86% of employers globally expect AI and information processing technologies to transform their business by 2030. For a heavy industry like steel, this means the demand for traditional operational roles is declining, while the need for specialized technical skills is soaring.

This is a major risk: the company needs to reskill its existing workforce and compete for a small pool of new talent. Gerdau is addressing this through its innovation arm, Gerdau Next, which focuses on strategic clusters like technology. The immediate actions required are massive upskilling programs to prevent a bottleneck in digital adoption. Automation will displace an estimated 85 million jobs globally by 2025, but it simultaneously creates 97 million new roles in areas like data analysis and machine learning. Gerdau must capture those new roles internally.

• Prioritize reskilling for automation-resistant roles.
• Recruit AI specialists and data analysts aggressively.
• Integrate digital literacy into all operational training.

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - PESTLE Analysis: Technological factors

Gerdau's technological strategy is defintely a core competitive advantage, centering on a high-efficiency, low-carbon production model and aggressive digitalization. The company is mapping its near-term future with a major investment cycle that focuses on Industry 4.0 concepts like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced connectivity, which is a clear action to mitigate future operational risks and seize efficiency gains.

R$6 billion investment cycle (2025-2027) targets digitalization and AI.

You need to see the technology spend as a strategic pivot, not just maintenance. Gerdau announced a new investment cycle of R$6 billion in February 2024, with a significant portion of the execution scheduled for the 2025 fiscal year. This capital is not just for keeping the lights on; it is specifically earmarked for asset maintenance, expansion of energy efficiency, and critically, the digitalization of operations and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) across its plants in Brazil and the United States.

Here's the quick math: a chunk of this R$6 billion is funding the shift to a smarter, more automated production chain. This investment is designed to drive operational efficiency, which is a non-negotiable in a cyclical industry like steel.

Expansion of dedicated 4G and 5G networks at the Ouro Branco plant.

The foundation for this AI and digitalization push is connectivity. Gerdau completed the implementation of a private, dedicated 4G and 5G network at its massive Ouro Branco plant in Minas Gerais in 2024, making it a pioneer as the first company to have a large-scale private network in the Latin American steel sector. This is a big deal.

The combined capacity of this private network now reaches 4.8 Gbps, which is the pipe needed to run real-time data analytics, remote-controlled vehicles, and digital twins (virtual models of physical assets). This high-speed, secure network allows for the deployment of thousands of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, translating raw operational data into actionable insights for production planning and predictive maintenance.

High reliance on Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology for scrap-based production.

Gerdau's core technology is its Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) model, which is fundamentally a cleaner, more flexible, and more sustainable way to make steel than the traditional blast furnace route. This is a crucial technological differentiator in the 2025 market, where environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics are paramount.

The company reports that 71% of the steel it produces already comes from recycled material (scrap), a rate significantly above the global average. To secure this low-carbon feedstock, Gerdau invested US$60 million in November 2024 to acquire Dale's Recycling, adding five units in Tennessee and one in Kentucky to reinforce the scrap supply chain for its North American EAF mills.

What this EAF reliance hides is the risk of scrap price volatility, but the technological advantage of lower carbon emissions is a clear long-term opportunity.

Technological Metric	2025 Fiscal Year Data / Status
Total Investment Cycle (R$)	R$6 billion (Execution in 2025, announced Feb 2024)
Scrap-Based Steel Production Share	71% (From recycled material)
New HRC Line Investment (R$)	R$1.5 billion (Ouro Branco, commissioned March 2025)
Ouro Branco Private Network Capacity	4.8 Gbps (Combined 4G/5G)
Scrap Chain Acquisition (US$)	US$60 million (Dale's Recycling, Nov 2024)

New hot-rolled coil (HRC) line commissioned in Brazil in March 2025.

A concrete example of the capital expenditure (CapEx) is the new hot-rolled coil (HRC) production line commissioned in March 2025 at the Ouro Branco plant in Minas Gerais. This investment amounted to approximately R$1.5 billion (or $260 million).

This expansion increases the plant's HRC annual capacity by 250,000 tons, bringing the total HRC production capacity at the site to 1.1 million tons per year. This capacity is primarily aimed at supplying the high-specification steel needs of the automotive industry and machinery and equipment manufacturers in Brazil, a clear move to capture higher-value market segments.

• Commissioned new HRC line in March 2025.
• Increased HRC capacity by 250,000 tons annually.
• Total HRC capacity now 1.1 million tons per year.

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - PESTLE Analysis: Legal factors

Company calls for urgent government action on anti-dumping claims.

You can't talk about the steel industry's legal landscape without starting with trade defense. Gerdau is fighting a two-front war against cheap imports. In its home market of Brazil, the company is pushing hard for the government to take immediate, effective action against what it calls unfair competition, mainly from Asian imports. The import penetration rate in Brazil hit a critical high of 26.0% in Q2 2025, which is putting immense pressure on domestic pricing and margins.

Honestly, the government's response has been slow, citing inflationary risks for other industrial sectors. So, Gerdau's management is skeptical that broad measures like a short-term import tax increase to 25% will be applied quickly. This forced the company to take legal control: it is preparing an anti-dumping investigation request against Chinese and other Asian long and flat steel importers. A specific decision on such a claim takes an average of 18 months, which is defintely a long time to wait for relief.

In the U.S., the company is part of a collective effort, the Rebar Trade Action Coalition (RTAC), seeking the imposition of anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on rebar imports from countries like Algeria, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Vietnam. The trade case investigations began in June, with preliminary AD/CVD rates expected to be set in November 2025.

US trade policies, like Section 232 tariffs, directly affect North American margins.

The U.S. trade policy environment has been a massive legal tailwind for Gerdau's North American operations, but it creates a complex geopolitical risk. By April and June 2025, U.S. Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports for many countries were lifted to 50%, effectively shielding domestic producers. This is a huge advantage.

The tariffs directly translated into financial performance. In Q1 and Q2 2025, Gerdau's U.S. and Canadian operations contributed a historic high of 61.4% of its consolidated adjusted EBITDA. That's the engine of the company's profitability right now. The disparity is stark; while U.S. steel prices have risen, Brazilian steel prices fell by 8% year-to-date in 2025. This legal protection in North America is why the company has funneled BRL 1.6 billion in capital expenditures into the region in 2025.

Environmental regulations (like carbon pricing) are tightening globally.

The legal risk around climate change is rapidly shifting from voluntary commitments to mandatory financial liabilities. The European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is the most immediate legal threat to Gerdau's export strategy, especially for products shipped from Brazil.

Here's the quick math: a survey indicates that CBAM will add a tariff of 10.76% for every dollar in iron and steel products shipped from Brazil to the EU. While the financial charge is scheduled for January 1, 2026, the obligation is accumulating now. To mitigate this, Gerdau is accelerating its green steel projects and relying on its North American operations, where all units use scrap-based electric arc furnace technology, a route exempt from CBAM.

Gerdau's legal and strategic response is clear:

• Reduce GHG emissions to 0.82 t/CO2e per tonne of steel by 2031.
• Invest BRL 3.2 billion by 2026 in low-carbon technology in Brazil.
• Monitor the potential impact of a mandatory carbon pricing system currently being analyzed in Brazil.

Compliance risk rises with operations spanning multiple jurisdictions (Brazil, US, etc.).

Operating across multiple jurisdictions-Brazil, the U.S., Canada, and other South American countries-means Gerdau is subject to a complex and overlapping web of anti-corruption, antitrust, and environmental laws. Non-compliance risks include fines, criminal penalties, and prohibitions on participating in public biddings.

Key legal frameworks creating compliance risk include the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the Brazilian Anti-Corruption Law (Law 12,846/2013). Moreover, new air quality and atmospheric emissions regulations in Brazil became effective in 2025, requiring changes in management, monitoring, and reporting practices. To address this, Gerdau has recently updated several critical internal legal documents.

The following table shows the recent updates to key legal and compliance policies in 2025:

Policy	Last Update Date	Jurisdictional Relevance
Compliance Policy	April 3, 2025	Global (Brazil, US, Canada, etc.)
Anti-Corruption Policy	April 3, 2025	Global (FCPA, Brazilian Law 12,846/2013)
Tax Policy	April 3, 2025	Global
Bylaws	May 30, 2025	Brazil (Primary Listing)

This level of policy overhaul shows the company is taking the rising complexity of cross-border legal risk seriously. You have to. One clean compliance breach can wipe out months of margin gains.

Gerdau S.A. (GGB) - PESTLE Analysis: Environmental factors

Goal to achieve carbon neutrality for operations by 2050

You're looking at a steel company, so the first thing you need to assess is their decarbonization roadmap. Gerdau S.A. has a clear, long-term commitment to achieve carbon neutrality for its entire operations by the year 2050. This isn't just a distant promise; it drives their capital expenditure (CAPEX) decisions right now.

This goal is particularly significant because steel production is historically one of the most carbon-intensive industries. The company's strategy leans heavily on its existing low-carbon production model-Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs)-and massive investments in renewable energy to offset the remaining emissions.

Target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 0.82 t/CO2e per tonne by 2031

The near-term, actionable target is what matters most to an analyst, and Gerdau S.A. has a precise one. They aim to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity to 0.82 t/CO2e per tonne of steel produced by 2031. Here's the quick math on their current position:

The company's current average GHG emission intensity is already low for the global sector, sitting around 0.91 tCO2e/tons of steel produced. This is a competitive advantage they are working to expand. Hitting the 2031 target means a further reduction of over 9% from the current level, which defintely requires continuous technological upgrades and energy matrix diversification.

Metric	Current Value (Approx. 2025)	Target	Target Date
GHG Emissions Intensity	0.91 tCO2e/tons of steel	0.82 t/CO2e/tons of steel	2031
Carbon Footprint Goal	Low for global industry average	Carbon Neutrality	2050

Largest scrap recycler in Latin America; 70% of steel is scrap-based

Gerdau S.A.'s core business model is a major environmental differentiator. They are the largest recycler of ferrous scrap in Latin America, which is a powerful structural advantage in the market. Recycling scrap metal requires significantly less energy and produces far fewer emissions than using virgin iron ore.

Currently, 71% of the steel the company produces uses scrap metal as its main raw material. This high percentage of scrap-based steel production is the primary reason their GHG emissions intensity is already below the global industry average. They remove obsolete materials from cities, which is a key circular economy benefit, plus they save on raw material costs, which helps the bottom line.

Their commitment to the circular economy extends beyond scrap, too:

• Achieve a water recirculation rate of 97.6% in operations.
• Maintain a forestry base of over 254,000 hectares in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
• Designate 91,000 hectares of this base for biodiversity conservation.
• Commit to expanding the forestry base by 20% over the next five years.

R$1.5 billion clean energy push for solar and biomass projects

The company is putting serious money behind its environmental goals. A cornerstone of their current strategy is a R$1.5 billion clean energy push. This investment is specifically targeting a shift in their energy matrix, moving away from fossil fuels and toward renewable sources.

These investments include solar parks, biomass-powered facilities, and the continued use of Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs), which are inherently less carbon-intensive. For the 2025 fiscal year alone, approximately R$1.6 billion of their total revised CAPEX of R$5.8 billion is earmarked for projects that deliver environmental returns, which includes the expansion of their forest assets and improvements to environmental controls. That's a significant portion of their capital budget focused on sustainability.

What this estimate hides is the long-term operational savings. By generating their own renewable power, they are hedging against volatile energy prices, securing a competitive cost structure for decades to come. It's a smart financial move disguised as an environmental one.