Environment
Learn more about our climate targets, decarbonization efforts, sustainability investments, and detailed environmental reports.
Decarbonization
European steel producers are taking a responsible approach to reducing CO2 emissions from steel production as outlined in the European Commission’s Green Deal commitments on steel and on the basis of IEA report “Iron and Steel Technology Roadmap” (2020), which contains a long-term emissions reduction pathway for the steel industry as a whole.
As a modern European recycling company producing steel using secondary raw materials and our own steel scrap, we are today regarded as a steel producer with specific CO2 emissions below the global average.
We have already reduced direct CO2 emissions by 34% from 1990 to 2020, even though we have increased productions during this time and started to produce more complex products that require more heat treatment and other operations. New types of steel also have a longer nlife-cycle, making them more sustainable.
With the SIJ Group's Decarbonization Plan 2020–2030–2050, supported by a comprehensive investment plan, we are focused on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
The SIJ Group's Decarbonization Plan 2020–2030–2050 includes measures for all emission scopes—both for direct emissions for which we are directly responsible (Scope 1), as well as for indirect emissions (Scope 2) and the impact of our operations on emissions in the supply chain (Scope 3). We calculate our carbon footprint in accordance with the international standard ISO 14404:2013.
steel producers worldwide, included in the measurements of the World Steel Association.
We will reduce our CO2 emissions by 51% by 2030 compared to 2020.
Annual and sustainability report
We transparently disclose the achievement of environmental goals and other sustainability aspects of our operations in our annual and sustainability reports, which are prepared according to the GRI standard and in accordance with the taxonomy.
Living circular economy
In the SIJ Group, we embrace the circular economy. Steel can be endlessly recycled, and we produce it entirely from steel scrap.
The vertical integration of our companies enables us to fully meet customer needs, while from the perspective of steelmaking processes, it can be understood as a closed loop of efficient practices among companies focused on collecting and processing steel scrap, steel production, and processing and distribution, which also includes returning waste to production.
We promote the circular economy at all levels. Material efficiency is an integral part of the modern steel production process and allows us to use almost every by-product generated during steel production in new products. This helps us preserve raw materials, reduce landfill waste, and lower emissions.
78% of recycled raw materials is the total share in the steels produced by the SIJ Group.
Reuse
We reuse:
water,
energy (excess heat), and
by-products (slag).
We close all water loops and bring water back into use with cooling and filtration systems.
The heat generated by steel production has great potential. We reuse it for heating – both within the production process and for external consumers (local communities), contributing to more sustainable cities and towns.
We also produce steel using internal steel scrap – steel scrap leftover in the production of steel end products. All steel recycling materials, sorted by chemical properties or quality, are reintroduced into the production process, thus reducing the share of pure alloys.
More than 98% of SIJ Group's industrial waste is reused, recycled, or otherwise utilized.
Seven areas of environmental investments
water: investments to lower consumption of drinking water
air: investments to reduce pollutant dispersion
climate change: investments to reduce consumption of electricity
recycling: investments to increase the use of secondary raw materials in steel production
supply chain: choosing the best available technology (BAT) will also reduce environmental impacts
by-products: investments in development and use of by-products
product applications: research of products with a longer life-cycle and other improved characteristics
All investments in the SIJ Group are also investments in efficient and environmentally friendly technology. We plan and implement them in accordance with Best Available Technology (BAT) guidelines, and through effective management of these technologies in line with environmental standards, we ensure greater production and environmental efficiency, reduction of carbon footprint, as well as improvement of working conditions and occupational health and safety.
Responsiblesteel: environmental care
As ResponsibleSteel certified steel producers, we are committed to meeting the global goals of the Paris Agreement. We prevent and reduce emissions and discharges, manage waste in accordance with the waste hierarchy, demonstrate good water stewardship, and protect biodiversity.
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Head of Corporate Communications
