Outokumpu’s Calvert mill receives environmental stewardship award for second year in a row

Outokumpu’s Calvert mill receives environmental stewardship award for second year in a row

Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP) recently awarded Outokumpu a 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award. In a world where environmental sustainability has become more important, Outokumpu stands out as a beacon of innovation and dedication. Recognized globally for its leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship, Outokumpu continuously strives to enhance environmental performance across its operations, including its state-of-the-art mill in Calvert, Alabama.

During the organization’s annual meeting held September 5, 2024, PEP recognized Outokumpu for two groundbreaking projects that exemplify the stainless steel company’s commitment to a greener future. In November 2022, Outokumpu embarked on a crucial mission to improve energy efficiency and air quality at their Calvert mill. The first project focused on the annealing furnaces, essential in processing stainless steel. Outokumpu's team undertook a technical assessment, identifying opportunities to reduce natural gas consumption. By applying a high emissivity coating to the furnace walls and roof, they enhanced radiant heat transfer and cut natural gas usage substantially. This innovation resulted in a CO2 reduction of over 1,100 tons and saved more than 6,100 megawatt-hours of energy in 2023 alone.

“The Emisshield coating technology, which has been certified by the Space Foundation, is a game changer for Outokumpu,” said Richard Chinery, Combustion Systems Manager for Outokumpu business area Americas. “It allows for more efficient heat transfer, lower required furnace temperature, and therefore leads to less fuel used and less CO₂ released.”

Outokumpu also initiated a second groundbreaking project. This time, they focused on reducing nitrogen oxide emissions in their Hot Annealing and Pickling Line. By working with suppliers and trialing the injection of hydrogen peroxide into the acid baths, they significantly decreased the consumption of nitric acid. This process not only reduced NOx emissions but also minimized ammonia usage for NOx reduction. The results were impressive—reducing raw nitric acid consumption by over 3,000 gallons per month and cutting CO₂ emissions by more than 1,400 tons. Ammonia consumption saw a 25% reduction.

“Alabama requires us to meet a minimum standard when it comes to air quality control. However, here at Outokumpu, we are striving to exceed the minimum standard. Our team is dedicated to reducing air emissions; and with this project of reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx), so far, we have exceeded our own expectations,” said Wayne Denton, Director of Environmental, Health, & Safety for Outokumpu business area Americas.

Outokumpu’s Calvert mill also received PEP’s 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award for its efforts to conserve water in the melt shop and reducing its CO₂ impact through its rail project.  

For more information

Kesshia Davis, Communications Lead, Business Area Americas, tel. +1-251-377-6018