Slag utilisation recognised for positive environment and economic impact
2 April 2024
LIBERTY Primary Steel has come away from the inaugural Australian Steel Institute (ASI) Steel Sustainability Awards with a high commendation for its basic oxygen steelmaking (BOS) slag utilisation at the Whyalla Steelworks.
In a proud moment for the GFG Alliance Australian operations, sister company InfraBuild took out the top award in this category, ‘Company or Project Initiative Large’ with its Road to Sustainability Through Good Health and Safety Initiative.
This is fantastic initiative from the BOS team that has made a real and positive impact on our business and the environment
Managing Director Liberty Primary Steel, Tony Swiericzuk
The LPS BOS slag initiative was highly commended for its innovation in optimising waste streams for positive environment and economic impact.
Waste slag produced during BOS has limited application. Innovative thinking and collaboration between multi-disciplinary teams at LPS has seen this waste charged into the blast furnace as a substitute for raw materials and fluxes.
Managing Director Liberty Primary Steel, Tony Swiericzuk, said the reduced consumption of dolomite, limestone, quartz, and iron bearing ores and pellets was a saving of $6m per annum and reduced the carbon footprint of large slag stockpiles.
A saving of $6m is significant for a business of this size and the environmental benefits are invaluable for the region and community.
“This is fantastic initiative from the BOS team that has made a real and positive impact on our business and the environment,” Tony said.
“It reflects on the work being done at the steelworks across multiple disciplines as we continuously improve our operations and continue the transformation process to green steel.
“Congratulations to the BOS team and everyone involved in this initiative, it is a fantastic achievement to be highly commended and we also congratulate InfraBuild on its win in this category.”
The Australian Steel Institute (ASI) is the nation’s peak body representing the entire Australian steel supply chain from the manufacturing mills right through to end users in building and construction, heavy engineering and manufacturing.
The awards provide an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the end-to-end supply chain including architects, designers, engineers, steel manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, processors, builders and constructors in delivering steel-related solutions that result in positive sustainable impact in the use of steel in building and construction projects and company steel-related initiatives.
Main picture: Representing the Blast Furnace team that worked on the project, Charlton Whitcher, Danver Isaacs and Mathew Middleton with the AIS High Commendation.
Watch the presentation video
Read more about our award wins in Whyalla
Steelworks stalwart recognised for career and community involvement