Based on the UN's 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, ArcelorMittal has
10 outcomes to guide the company's contribution to the global effort to build a sustainable future. The outcomes include the development of products that accelerate more sustainable lifestyles; efficient use of resources and high recycling rates; trusted user of air, land and water; and responsible energy user that helps create a lower carbon future.
"Sustainability is one of ArcelorMittal's values. We work to promote this concept not only within the company, but also throughout the entire steel supply chain, working in partnership with all stakeholders", says Benjamin Baptista Filho, President, ArcelorMittal Brazil and CEO, ArcelorMittal Flat Carbon South America.
ArcelorMittal works to align its actions with the principles of the circular economy, which include recycling, reduced use, reuse and remanufacturing of several components.
Thanks to ArcelorMittal Brazil's Water Master Plan, the company has one of the highest water recirculation rates among Brazilian steel producers, at approximately 98%. One of the company's innovative actions, it ensures the availability of water resources for its steelmaking operations, while reducing impacts arising from water use in steel production. In 2018, the initiative won a Steelie Award, in the 'Excellence in Sustainability' category.
Another important accomplishment which demonstrates ArcelorMittal's commitment to sustainability was the achievement, also in 2018, of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which gathers information about the life cycle and environmental impacts of steel products. It is the first steel producer in Brazil to obtain the certification.
In addition, the Tubarão unit is carrying out a bold and innovative seawater desalination project, which will produce up to 500 m³/h of industrial water, thus ensuring greater water security for both the company and the state of Minas Gerais. A pioneering project in Brazil and in the ArcelorMittal group worldwide, it will be largest de-salination unit in the country and was the reason ArcelorMittal received the 'Innovative Project' award during the International Desalination Association (IDA) Congress, the main global event that took place last October, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Works on the desalination plant are expected to be concluded in 2021.