Nucor Corp.

Nucor Corporation is a producer of steel and steel products in the United States, including raw materials such as sheet, plate, bars, and beams, as well as joists, fasteners, and metal-building systems. Its electric-arc-furnace steelmaking process relies on water for cooling, treatment, and manufacturing. Owing to its presence in water-stressed areas, Nucor's water performance relies on intensive recycling, utility and water-treatment assets, stormwater retention, and site-specific contingency planning.

Nucor's leading innovation in water sustainability is the remarkable circularity of its steel-mill water cycle. Advanced treatment infrastructure enables its steel mills to reuse water up to eight to ten times. In 2025, 83% of steel-mill water was reused, with a companywide reuse rate of 69% (the prevailing industry standard is 22%), significantly reducing freshwater needs and wastewater discharge for water-smart steelmaking. Nucor also built stormwater-retention facilities to capture runoff and enable reuse, coordinates with local utilities and community members in water-stressed regions, and deploys water-monitoring systems, contingency plans, and other best practices for higher-risk zones. Its water-quality initiatives include advanced treatment equipment, fuel and pollutant monitoring, and pollution-control systems consistent with the Clean Water Act.