Tata Steel Europe: Starting from scrap
Challenge
Raw material stockyards can be a significant source of diffuse particulate matter (dust). They contribute to particulate levels in the local air. Particulate dust is released through wind blown lift-off of loose material when handled, stored on stockpiles, or transported by vehicles on unmade roadways.
Action
In 2009, Tata Steel Europe invested £7million into a major improvement project to redesign the scrap yard and scrap-handling area at its electric arc furnace steelmaking facility in Rotherham, UK. A key objective was to increase the yield (percentage of pure metal) going into the furnaces. However, the savings and efficiencies achieved go far beyond that.
Outcome
The 6.74 hectare scrap site has been reorganised to reduce the volume of raw materials stored and to create new concrete roadways and scrap pens. As a result, significantly less particulate dust is generated from the scrap storage and handling activities. The improvements have also improved working conditions for the employees.
The new concrete pens also minimise the risk of soil contamination from oil contaminated scrap. Yield improvements have allowed non-metallic materials such as wood, glass and soil to be recovered and sorted more effectively to be re-sold, thereby reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Last updated: June 2010
