Ovako conducts environmental activities with a focus on continually improving steel quality and providing more environmentally friendly solutions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption are a priority since these represent the most significant environmental aspects of Ovako’s business. Using steel scrap is also a vital part of Ovako’s production.
Scrap-based steel production
Steel is a material that can be reused any number of times without deterioration in its properties and Ovako is one of the top users of recycled steel in the Northern countries. No new iron ore needs to be mined for Ovako’s steel production.
By having three scrap-based steel mills, Ovako is an important part of the recycling industry, using around one million tonnes of scrap every year. Our well-functioning cooperation with scrap agents assures us first-rate raw material that, through our skills in metallurgy, is melted and transformed into new steel products — and the circle is closed.
A growing market for by-products
Today not only scrap is recycled, but also waste and residual products are used as raw material in other processes. Ovako have managed to develop a market for by-products deriving from our manufacturing processes, thereby reducing the need for waste disposal and landfills.
ISO 14001
Ovako's different sites are certified according to ISO 14001, which gives structure to the environmental work and to the continuous improvements. Every year, quality targets are set for the individual business areas. Discharge from the production processes are regularly measured and reported to the authorities.
Worldsteel's Sustainable Development Charter
Ovako has signed the worldsteel's Sustainable Development Charter, which means we support the sustainable development policy established in 2002 by World Steel Association. Read more about the commitment here.
Minimising impact on the environment
Investments minimising the impact on the environment make sure that we can live up to the strict demands set by legislation and the requirements of our customers, for example closed water systems, water cleaning, effective use of energy, off-gas dedusting and heat recovery that reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Environmental, health and industrial safety work
Ovako strives to provide attractive workplaces for our employees and contribute to a long-term sustainable society. Based on our policy for environmental, health and industrial safety work (EHS work) we encourage all our employees to take the environment, health and safety into account in their daily activities.
EHS issues also need to be considered when we buy products and services, in order to ensure that the essence of this policy is observed.