Severstal's environmental policy voted best amongst russian companies

Severstal, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated steel and steel related mining companies, has won the award for Environmentally Responsible Business organized by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. The award was presented during Russian Business Week in Moscow at a conference entitled Environmental and Industrial Safety: Role of Business and State in Risk Mitigation.

The recognition reflected that a key component of Severstal’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy is a responsible attitude towards the use of natural resources.

In 2011, the Company invested more than 723 million rubles ($US 23 million ) in environmental projects, leading to a large improvement in a number of environmental measures.

By the year-end Severstal had completed operations to lower emissions of naphthalene and ferroalloy dust at its Cherepovets Steel Mill, part of the Severstal Russian Steel division.

The Cherepovets Steel Mill was able to meet those targets following the renovation of the gas cleaning facilities of naphthalene presses in its coke and byproduct process and aspiration systems in the central ferroalloy warehouse.

In October the Company also announced the launch of a major environmental project aimed at reducing atmospheric emissions at the Cherepovets Steel Mill. The project is an important step in Severstal’s significant efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. Severstal will invest up to 3 billion rubles ($US 96 million) over the next four years in the project.

Alexander Grubman, CEO of Severstal Russian Steel, commented: “The Company’s success in achieving its goals is evident from the fact that even while growing steel production, the Cherepovets Steel Mill managed to reduce atmospheric emissions by 2,300 tons and waste disposal by 770,000 tons (63% lower than in 2010). As well as practical measures we are totally committed to the principles of an environmentally responsible company when doing business and developing our strategic business plan. This is borne with the Environmentally Responsible Business award from the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.”