Waste

Our most significant waste input is various forms of metal raw materials as our products are refined products based on metal handling. A metal raw material can be melted down and used many times, without compromising quality, which creates favorable conditions for circular material handling. We strive to increase recycled material in our products.

We systematically collect and categorize waste generated from our production processes to facilitate the reuse or recycling of the materials. Through buyback programs with our customers, we actively retrieve and reintegrate the collected material back into our production cycles. Our commitment to sustainable waste management includes partnerships with external entities, including waste service companies, with whom we collaborate to explore innovative recycling methods for our waste streams. Each of our locations bears the responsibility of ensuring that third-party waste companies handle the waste in strict accordance with contractual and legislative obligations. Further, all employees and contractors are responsible for accurate waste sorting and disposal.

Total actual waste decreased by 21 percent to 336 ktons in 2023, primarily driven by reduced amount of tailings, digestion sludge and slag. With a few exceptions, waste is predominantly treated off-site.

Our overarching objective is to achieve a waste circularity of 90 percent by 2030. The current waste circularity rate stands at 71 percent (73). Circular waste is defined as reuse and recycling. In circularity rate reporting, we exclude tailings, digestion sludge and slag because we assess that it is not feasible in the foreseeable future to take further actions to avoid sending these fractions to landfill.

Data on waste

You find data on waste in the note for environmental footprint in our Annual report.

View data in the environmental footprint note in the Annual report