Ruukki strengthened its position during 2008 with the achievement of a number of environmental responsibility milestones, including the development of energy efficiency as a primary goal.
Under this function, the company is targeting energy savings of 9% (compared to 2005 levels) in production by 2016, in accordance with the European Union's Energy Service Directive. The company also is taking energy efficiency into account in the design of every product, and in its investments.
"Our steel production ranks among the world's most carbon dioxide efficient, with coal and energy consumption approaching the minimum possible using current technology,” said Toni Hemminki, Rukkii’s Vice President, Energy and Environment. “We are actively involved also in developing new ways to reduce emissions. The European ULCOS project, for example, aims long term at halving carbon dioxide specific emissions.”
Ruukki spent a total of EUR 12 million on environmental investments in 2008, a significant increase from 7 million in environmental investments in 2007. Significant investments included continued work on building the new landfill site at the Raahe Works in Finland, and improving energy efficiency at many sites.
By recycling steel and mineral products, the company cut global carbon dioxide emissions by a total of 687,000 tonnes during the year. The company uses scrap steel as 20 to 30% of the raw material charge for its steelmaking process, depending on the steel grade being made. Its mineral byproducts are recycled in a range of applications in the cement industry, agriculture applications, and in earth and road construction.
The company employed certified ISO 14001:2004 environmental management systems and ISO 9001:2000 quality management systems covering the majority of its production sites and personnel in 2008. The company did not experience any significant oil, chemical or fuel spills at any of its sites during 2008. Environmental permit limits were temporarily exceeded at six sites in 2008, and corrective actions were taken in all cases.
Ruukki was included in the DJSI World and DJSI STOXX indexes in 2008: these indexes represent the top companies in their sector that are committed to sustainable development. In addition, SAM Group Holding AG, an independent assessment authority, awarded Ruukki a Bronze Class in recognition of its position among the world's best steel companies.
Rautaruukki supplies metal-based components, systems and integrated systems to the construction and engineering industries, offering a wide selection of metal products and services. Rautaruukki has operations in 26 countries, employs 14,300 people, and reported net sales of EUR 3.9 billion in 2008. The corporation uses the marketing name Ruukki.
Ruukki's environmental report can be viewed in pdf format at the company’s website, www.ruukki.com.