Steel Mills

SSAB Americas Announces EcoSmart Program

Written by Sandy Williams


SSAB Americas announced the launch of a new awareness program—EcoSmart, to demonstrate its commitment to environmental stewardship.

SSAB Americas’ EcoSmart steel contains 97 percent recoverable scrap metal that has been diverted from landfills. The recycled steel contains everything from old automotive parts to discarded appliances.

Along with the use of recycled scrap metal, SSAB Americas uses more than 600,000 scrap tires per year as a raw material substitute for carbon in the production process. To date, SSAB has used more than five million scrap tires.

Millions of gallons of water are recycled each year and the company’s trash recycling process, diverts nearly a million pounds of trash from landfills.

Renewable electrical energy is used in the manufacturing process, particularly wind energy. SSAB Americas’ electric arc furnace production results in 66 percent fewer CO2 emissions compared to the 2014 US steel industry average.

“With steel playing such a vital role in our daily lives, our vision at SSAB is to create a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world,” says Chuck Schmitt, president of SSAB Americas. “That means we have a responsibility not only to operate with integrity, but to be good stewards for our environment. For SSAB Americas, sustainability isn’t something new; it’s built into who we are and how we operate.”

EcoSmart steel adds years to the life-cycle of products made with it due to its durability and strength. The steel used in automotive applications helps reduce vehicle weight and promote fuel savings. Steel used by the energy sector contributes to cleaner, more renewable energy sources.

About SSAB Americas
SSAB Americas is a division of SSAB, a Nordic and US-based steel company. SSAB offers value added products and services developed in close cooperation with its customers to create a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world. SSAB has employees in over 50 countries. SSAB has production facilities in Sweden, Finland and the U.S.

Source: SSAB Press Release

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