Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency in steel production is a key priority for SSAB. We view it as an opportunity to reduce costs and improve SSAB’s environmental footprint. Energy efficiency in SSAB’s steel production is improved through utilizing process gases and recovered heat to reduce the need for purchased energy, both fuels and electricity.
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SSAB has a target to achieve a lasting reduction of 400 GWh of purchased energy (both electricity and fuels) by the end of 2020, compared to the 2014 baseline.
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Material efficiency
To SSAB, material efficiency means making more out of less material, resulting in increased efficiency in the use of natural resources. The production of iron and steel gives rise to a range of residuals. In 2014, 4 million tonnes of residuals were produced at SSAB’s Nordic steel production sites. Recirculating material back into the steelmaking process reduces the need for virgin raw materials. This in turn, reduces CO2 emissions and saves costs. Material that cannot be recirculated internally can be processed into by-products and sold externally to create new revenue streams while reducing CO2 emissions by substituting natural resources in other industries. Increasing internal recirculation of residuals and external sales of by-products leads to reduced waste and less material being sent to landfill.
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Recycled energy flows within SSAB also contribute to increased material efficiency. Gases, steam and hot water produced in the processes are recovered and utilized in other parts of the processes to generate electricity and heat.
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Thanks to its properties, steel can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties. The utilization of scrap in SSAB’s steel production is also an important part of improving material efficiency in SSAB.
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SSAB has a target to increase the utilization of residuals by improving internal recirculation of material and external sales of by-products. The target is to achieve a lasting reduction of material being sent to landfill by 50,000 tonnes by the end of 2020, compared to the 2014 baseline.
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CO2-efficiency in steel production
SSAB is one of the most CO2-efficient steel producers in the world, 7% more efficient that European average and 20% more efficient than China. This means that less virgin raw material (iron-ore, coke and coal) is needed to produce our steel.
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SSAB has a target to reduce CO2 emissions originating in its steel production. The target is to achieve a lasting reduction of 300,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions by the end of 2020, compared to the 2014 baseline.
Read more about SSAB´s sustainability targets