Studio Guest: Christine Schweikert, commodities expert | Made in Germany
Our studio guest is Christine Schweikert, commodities expert, BHF Bank, Frankfurt DW:TV: Iron ore is the main source for steel production in Germany - how much is still left? Christine Schweikert: Well, at the moment we're thinking it might last us for 50 years globally speaking, but that's not set in stone. If we use less, obviously it's going to last us longer and if we find more then it's going to last longer too DW-TV: How can recycling be increased?Christine Schweikert: You need different regulations for instance, like you have to force people to give back their mobiles or cars and then force companies to recycle it and sell it on again. That's one thing, but I think the main thing, is if the price is attractive enough, and if the material is scarce enough, then I think companies will do it. DW-TV: Is recyclability something that the steel industry considers during production?Christine Schweikert: I dont think so, in fact people who do recycle the material use x-rays to determine the nickel content of steel, for instance. And I think recycling should be increased. In Germany, we are recyling about 50% and in the US the figure is higher, 64%, or something like that, and I think a lot more can be done to improve recycling.DW-TV: How much speculation is going on?Christine Schweikert: Well, commodity prices are influcenced to a certain extent by speculation, but for iron ore I would say that's a very small extent because it's mostly longterm contacts between buyers and <b>...</b>
Deutsche Welle Germany Deutschland DW-TV Information Made in Germany Economics Christine Schweikert commodities expert BHF Bank Frankfurt steel industry recyling
