Essar Steel Algoma

Essar Steel Algoma is the winner of the 2009 Environment Award, sponsored by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation.

The Environment Award honours a business that has made a difference in making our environment better, whether it be reduction of pollution or waste, energy efficiency, new environmental or energy technology applications, best practices, or introducing an innovative program that reduces waste in our city.

To read profiles of other 2009 winners, please click here.

Here's what they said about Essar Steel Algoma at yesterday's award presentation:

************************ Congratulations to Essar Steel Algoma on being presented this years Environment Award.

Essar Steel Algoma has launched an aggressive campaign to reduce particulate emissions, surpassing their original target and achieving a reduction of nearly 25% since June 2007, with an overall 74% net reduction since 2000.

To support these aggressive targets, a total of $90 million has been committed and invested toward new technology and additional operating improvements, demonstrating Essar’s commitment to sustainable environmental performance.

Essar is a fierce advocate of recycling and waste reduction, with a recycling success rate in excess of 80% This year Essar Steel Algoma constructed a baghouse on the number 7 blast furnace.

This $25 million investment in state-of-the-art air emission technology removes particulate matter from the air.

In July, Essar Steel commissioned a 70 mega watt cogeneration facility.

This reduced Essar Steel Algoma's reliance on the provincial power grid by 50% on average and reduced nitrous oxide emissions by 15%.

Finally, Essar Steel undertook its extensive “Greening Algoma” initiative, which included paving, landscaping, housekeeping, berms and acoustic walls, all with the a goal to reduce their impact on the environment, improve safety, reduce noise, create a clean and professional work environment, and be a good corporate neighbor.

Essar Steel Algoma is registered facility-wide to ISO 14001, the international environmental quality standard.

Congratulations once again to Essar Steel Algoma on its accomplishments and for making our community a better and cleaner place to live, work and do business.