CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
We promote the circular economy at all levels, as 100% of our production is based on the use of waste raw materials or the reuse of steel. We will use all waste raw materials in the circular economy process and ensure waste-free steel production. Such 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 way we will conserve raw materials, reduce waste to landfill and cut emissions.
PATH TO CARBON NEUTRALITY
On average, recycling steel plants consume about 75% less energy and emit almost four times less CO2 than integrated steel plants that use ore to produce steel. SIJ Group’s production processes generate carbon emission levels that are significantly under the global average.
We rank among the world’s top 30 most efficient steel producers included in the measurements carried out by the World Steel Association.
SIJ Group was also awarded the Climate Action Member certificate by the World Steel Organisation in recognition of its 10-year involvement in carbon footprint measurement between the years 2011 and 2021.
We have already reduced direct CO2 emissions, measured per tonne of melt produced, by 34% from 1990 to 2020, even though we have increased production 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 life-cycle, making them more sustainable and reducing the need for new product purchases.
We are following the Paris Agreement and the targets set at the EU level and in the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NEPN).
By 2030, we plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 51% compared to a 2020 baseline, meeting the ETS sector's target of carbon reduction.
RE-USE
We re-use:
- water,
- energy (waste heat), and
- by-products.
In the water use sector, 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, contributing to more sustainable cities and towns.
REDUCING RESOURCE CONSUMPTION
Our goal is to reduce the specific consumption of total energy per tonne of production by 10% over the next ten years through innovation in production processes, the introduction of new technologies and by raising employee awareness.
We will also reduce the specific consumption of drinking water per employee and strive to become a zero-waste company.
In 2021, SIJ Group reused, recycled or otherwise made use of more than 98 percent of its industrial waste produced.
Less than 2 percent of the waste produced ended up in landfills.
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 purchased pure alloys.
We focus on using secondary raw materials even where key raw materials are concerned.
The total rate of using recycled raw materials in stainless steel production is already higher than 83 percent.
We are introducing quality, cost-effective and environmentally friendly substitutes in our production process. In 2021, more detailed studies were carried out on the possibility of supplying our sources, such as additional use of excess heat, solar power and our hydrogen plant.
In 2021, we commissioned a new line for magnetic separation of steel scrap, with the separation of dirt resulting in higher steel purity and thus higher product quality and reduced environmental impact.
BIODIVERSITY
At SIJ Group, we are committed to respecting biodiversity.
We do not initiate activities or plan associated facilities in or immediately adjacent to the following areas:
- World Heritage sites;
- Protected areas of the IUCN protected area management categories I-VI and conservation areas protected under national or local law;
- community-conserved areas (ICCAs) unless such activities are endorsed with the Free, Prior and Informed consent of the affected communities;
- Ramsar sites;
- Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).
In the case of natural habitat, the SIJ Group does not significantly convert or degrade them, unless all of the following are demonstrated:
- No other viable alternatives for development on modified habitat exist within the region;
- Consultation has established the views of stakeholders, including affected communities and indigenous peoples, with respect to the extent of conversion and degradation;
- Any conversion or degradation is mitigated according to the mitigation hierarchy and designed to achieve no net loss.
In the case of critical habitat, we do not implement any activities or plan infrastructure, unless all of the following are demonstrated:
- No other viable alternatives for development on modified or natural habitat that are not critical exist within the region;
- The activities and infrastructure do not lead to adverse impacts on those biodiversity values that constitute the critical habitat, and on the ecological processes supporting those biodiversity values;
- The activities do not lead to a net reduction in the global, national or regional population of any critically endangered or endangered species.
In the event of downgrading, downsizing or degazettement of World Heritage Sites, Ramsar sites or protected areas of the IUCN categories I-VI, SIJ Group continues its no-go policy.
Where a World Heritage site, Ramsar site or officially protected area is established in, around or adjacent to the area of activity of an existing site, we ensure that our activities do not lead to adverse impacts on those values for which the World Heritage site, Ramsar site or protected area was designated.
THE 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 SIJ Group are also investments in efficient and environmentally friendly technology. They are planned and implemented in accordance with the Best Available Technology (BAT) guidelines and, by effectively managing these technologies in accordance with environmental standards, we ensure increased production and environmental efficiency, a reduction in our carbon footprint, as well as improved working conditions and occupational health and safety.