The most substantial environmental impacts that result from the production of stainless steel include emissions of dust and particles into the air, discharges of water from production plants, and direct and indirect energy consumption during production. Landfill waste is also created during the production process.
Our EHSQ and environmental policies form the basis of our environmental work. Our past achievements in minimizing environmental impact such as reduction of waste to landfills, world class energy efficiency, dust control, reduction of emissions to air and water and acid recycling improvements are great examples what innovative and persistent work can create.
Outokumpu's key environmental objectives are to prevent environmental incidents, to reduce emissions into water and air, to improve energy efficiency and to optimize the use of water. The enhanced use of recycled steel as raw material and the reduction of process waste are also important.
Environmental compliance and permits
Our environmental network follows closely the quarterly environmental performance of our operations, their permit status and legal compliance.
The company’s environmental network conducts internal site audits in the production units according to risk screening. In 2019, emissions and discharges were generally at normal levels within our environmental permits. All minor breaches were temporary and insignificant. Outokumpu reported each incident to environmental authorities, carried out corrective actions immediately or resolved the incidents together with the authorities. No environmental damage was reported, and there were no significant environmental incidents.
All Outokumpu production sites have environmental permits and certified ISO 14001 environment management systems. Typically, energy efficiency is integrated into environmental management systems, although many of the Group's sites have also achieved ISO 50001 certification for energy efficiency. The local supervising environment authority and independent ISO certification body are both auditing our production sites, environment permit conditions and compliance.
See our site-specific certifications.
Locations and products of Outokumpu's sites
Location | Production | Products | |
---|---|---|---|
Avesta | Sweden | Melting, hot rolling, cold rolling | Coil and sheet |
Calvert | The United States | Melting, cold rolling | Coil and sheet |
Dahlerbrück | Germany | Cold rolling | Precision strip |
Degerfors | Sweden | Hot rolling | Quarto plate |
Dillenburg | Germany | Cold rolling |
Coil and sheet |
Fagersta | Sweden | Cold rolling |
Wire rod, wire |
Kemi | Finland | Mine | Chrome concentrate |
Krefeld | Germany | Cold rolling |
Coil and sheet |
Nyby | Sweden | Cold rolling |
Coil and sheet |
Richburg | The United States | Cold rolling |
Bar |
San Luis Potosi | Mexico | Cold rolling |
Coil and sheet |
Sheffield | The United Kingdom | Melting, hot rolling, cold rolling |
Wire rod, rebar |
Tornio | Finland | Ferrochrome, melting, hot rolling, cold rolling | Ferrochrome, coil and sheet |