Annual Report 2010 - Outokumpu

60
A long-term commitment to
sustainability
Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, hygienic, corrosion-resistant and the environmental impacts resulting from its use are
almost non-existent. On the other hand, its production – both the manufacturing and reprocessing stages – does have an
impact on the environment. The most substantial environmental impacts which result from stainless steel production
process include emissions of dust and particulates into the air, discharges of water from production plants, and the high
levels of direct and indirect energy consumption during production. Landfill waste is also created during the production
process.
Outokumpu's way of managing environmental issues
Guided by the Group's Environment, Health, Quality and Safety policies, Corporate Responsibility Policy and Ethical
Principles, Outokumpu's firm objective is to minimise the environmental burden of the Group's operations as much as
this is economically and technically feasible. All Outokumpu's larger production sites employ either Environmental
Management Systems (EMS) or risk-based management systems which help in avoiding spills and accidents that could
be harmful to humans or to the environment. All of these Group systems operate in accordance with ISO 14001, the
international standard for environmental management systems. Outokumpu's aim is to achieve a single Group-wide
certificate. Currently 90% of our production sites have individual certification. The functioning of these systems is
monitored using both internal and external audits. The Group also provides the appropriate authorities with reports on
Outokumpu's operations in all the countries in which we operate. At Group level, our operations are managed and best
practices applied through our environment network, whose working groups and environment committee meet once
during each quarter.
Outokumpu believes that stainless steel will play an important
role in the sustainable development of global infrastructure.
Outokumpu to increase its focus on environmental footprint
Stainless steel's very low environmental impact during the use phase, its durability and very low maintenance
requirements are recognised. At the end of each product's life, its constituent materials are also fully recyclable. The life
cycles of stainless steel products consist of several phases. Outokumpu's aim is to improve levels of sustainability in
each phase from production through to re-use, and also to secure a sustainable supply chain all the way from suppliers
of recycled steel to the production of stainless steel products.
Many applications that employ stainless steel already have a beneficial impact by reducing the total environmental
burden exerted by human society. On a global scale, current trends towards achieving sustainability and reducing the
extent of climate change are strong. The EU Climate and Energy Package focuses on renewable energy sources,
emissions control and energy efficiency. Almost all nations and regions are targeting less-carbon-intensive forms of
society.
Outokumpu Annual Report 2010 – Business – Impact on the environment