The operations at Outokumpu Tornio site have received an environmental permit from the Regional Administration of Northern Finland. The expansion of the ferrochrome plant will be enabled through this permit and the plant is being constructed as per the plan.
The investment in production of ferrochrome will double the capacity to 540 000 t per annum. The overall investment includes approximately €440 million, in which environmental expenses will cover more than €60 million.
The best available technology (BAT) will help in the implementation of the investment. This will certainly position Outokumpu as a pioneer in ecological matters. Among the 342 firms studied for their ecological efforts, Outokumpu has attained the first position in the steel industry for two successive years. These investments to conserve environment will ensure to lower the BAT emissions levels in the coming years, in spite of increasing rigorous needs.
Besides satisfying the regulations of the environmental permit, the company continues to expand and enhance its environmental protection level and is investing quite a significant amount to bring down emission. A large-scale study has been conducted to enhance scrubber technology. Misting guns have been bought to minimize the emissions of diffuse dust.
The waste water treatment will be specifically enhanced with respect to the investment in ferrochrome production. In future, the waste water from ferrochrome Works will be in complete closed circulation. Since 2011 summer season, all the processed waste water has been emptied into the suction-dredged pool located opposite to the site. This arrangement has considerably decreased the loading of waste in the ocean area.
Source: http://www.outokumpu.com/