Metal

Instead of using end-of-pipe technologies such as downstream cleaning or disposal systems, Cleaner Production’s main objective is to reduce the amount of pollutants and waste created by the way the process is designed, or using integrated measures.

Industrial metal production, treatment and processing are particularly energy and resource intensive. Metal and steel recycling and energy recovery measures integrated into the production process make an important contribution to resource efficiency, i.e. the economic use of materials and energy. Interrupting energy and material flows not only serves to protect resources and the climate, but also generates economic benefits for the companies involved.

For instance, process waste gas generated during steel production can be treated for use as a secondary energy carrier. Advanced furnace technology offering improved firing techniques such as the preheating of combustion air, and the use of effective methods of heat recovery can help to reduce energy consumption further during thermal metallurgical processes.  

Due to the high temperatures they generate, many metallurgical processes require large quantities of water to cool both the systems and the product. Closed cooling and process water systems as well as new methods of wastewater and process water treatment are therefore being developed and applied in order to reduce water consumption and generate less wastewater.

Metalworks produce process residue such as filter dust, sludge and slag. Technical processes facilitate the recovery of valuable secondary raw materials from the metallic residue and their recycling within the production process. The remaining residue can then be treated and used as building material, for example.

Several European Union reference documents (BREF documents) provide information to the metalworking industry on the best available techniques which contribute to an all-encompassing reduction in environmental burdens. The BREF documents are based on the EU’s Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).