INTELLIGENT SUSTAINABILITY IN THE INTEREST OF OUR ENVIRONMENT

What we do today affects our tomorrow: At voestalpine we are aware of our added responsibility as a steelmaker. We are committed to developing high-quality steel as well as to reducing any negative impact on our environment. We are part of the problem, but we have also been implementing promising solutions for many decades. For maximum quality of life, here and now. For a comfortable future. For our children and each generation to come.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE

As we have always said, protecting the environment is worth every penny. That is why we at voestalpine have invested more than two billion euros in sustainability measures in the last ten years alone. These investments are bearing fruit and will pay off even more in the years to come.

 

ALL THE POWER WE NEED WITH REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Others may sit back while we work hard on making progress. The average energy consumed worldwide in the production of crude steel has remained constant for many years. 

But we know we can do more. That is why we have reduced our energy consumption by 10% over the past 20 years. Over the past 50 years we have even reduced it by 50%. "One step ahead" has proven to be more than just an advertising slogan. 

OH YEAH!

WATER IS LIFE—AND WE CONSERVE IT

Our headquarters in Linz is located on the beautiful blue Danube, a river that means much more to us than merely a traffic route or sightseeing attraction. 

Water from the Danube is used for cooling purposes in our production operations, but this does not mean that we exploit or pollute our beautiful river in any way. 89% of the river water is returned to the Danube in the same or better quality. Our ISO 14046 certified water circulation systems ensure that native fish will continue to feel at home in the Danube for years to come. 

We can shake fins on that!

 

THE AIR IS CLEAN, THANKS TO THE REDUCED DUST LOAD.

We go the extra mile for our climate, and we never run out of steam. At voestalpine, we invest 50% of our environmental expenditure in air purification measures. We make sure that as few pollutants as possible are released into the atmosphere so that we all can breathe clean air.

The percentages of pollutant emission reduction over the last decades are more than respectable:

NOx

-75%

SO2

-75%

Dust

-95%

LESS WASTE AND MORE RECYCLING

This is one of our highest priorities. Because waste is never worthless, but a valuable resource that must be utilized to the greatest extent. At voestalpine, we focus consistently on a circular economy and ensure that 88% of our waste is recycled either on our company premises or elsewhere. 

Why is this so important to us? Because we believe in existing potential, again and again and again.

SCRAP PASSES THE TEST, TIME AND TIME AGAIN

...and at voestalpine we utilize high-quality scrap as part of our regular steelmaking operations. The contribution made by scrap is very valuable. In our current blast furnace route, 26.8% (2022 figure) scrap is used as a reliable method of conserving primary materials and our environment. 

Of course, what is good for the environment is good for us.

LONG LIVE THE KING (OF MATERIALS)

The right raw materials and optimized production processes are essential ingredients in the steel to be used in our society in the years to come. 

Steel is outstandingly durable, highly resistant and can be used in an almost inexhaustible number of applications.

 

Environmental and climate protection are not a matter of duty for me, but a matter of course. It's up to us to shape our tomorrow, and I'm convinced that our green targets will take us where we want to be.

Stella Sustainable, Sustainability Expert