During 2009, Ruukki continued work to promote energy and material efficiency and to reduce the lifecycle environmental impacts of its products. The company notes that progress was made in the energy efficiency of production with the aim of achieving energy savings of 9%, compared to 2005 levels, by 2016.
"Our energy-efficient products and solutions mean cost-effectiveness for customers and help to prevent climate change,” said Toni Hemminki, Vice President, Energy and Environment, Ruukki. “High-strength and wear-resistant special steel products improve the material efficiency of end-products and enable a longer useful life or structures with greater load-bearing capacity. Last year, we developed concept solutions for low- and zero-energy office building structures and building technology. Within the next few years, these solutions will drive product development to the commercialization stage and launching. We are, for example, also studying the potential of using steel piles to collect thermal heat and geo cooling."
During the year, Ruukki claims to have reduced global carbon dioxide emissions by 610,000 tonnes by recycling steel and mineral products. Depending on the grade of steel being made, 20 to 30% of recycled steel was used in steelmaking and Ruukki's mineral products were used in the cement industry, agriculture and earthworks, and road construction. The company plans to further boost the use and processing of recyclable materials and the sale of by-products in the future.
Certified ISO 14001:2004 environmental management systems covered 98% of Ruukki's production and 87% of the personnel. But for one incident, no significant oil, chemical, or fuel spills occurred at the company's sites. An oil spill at the Mo i Rana plant in Norway resulted in the unit reviewing its working practices. Environmental permit limits were exceeded occasionally at three sites.
Ruukki notes that its environmental-responsibility efforts were recognized in international assessments. The company was chosen for inclusion in the DJSI World and DJSI STOXX indexes, which represent the top companies committed to sustainable development. In the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Nordic assessment, Ruukki ranked among the top Finnish companies and in its sector. World Steel Association (worldsteel) also awarded Ruukki a Climate Action certificate for 2009-2010 for active participation in the worldsteel Climate Action program, which is part of the industry's commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The company spent a total of EUR 21 million on environmental investments in 2009. The most significant investments were at the Raahe Works in projects related to blast furnace dust extraction systems, direct granulation, sludge drying, and the works' landfill site. In spring 2009, a decision was taken to modernize blast furnace 1 at the steelworks in Finland.
The company's corporate environmental report is part of its annual report. An electronic version of the report is available on the company's website at www.ruukki.com.
Rautaruukki supplies metal-based components, systems and integrated systems to the construction and engineering industries. With operations in 27 countries and around 11,700 employees, the company generated net sales of approximately EUR 2.0 billion in 2009. The corporation uses the marketing name Ruukki.