Saint-Gobain PAM highlights sustainabilty gains

London – Iron products manufacturer leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of Saint-Gobain, has released its latest sustainability report, demonstrating the steps it has taken to maintaining a commitment to sustainable development.

Saint-Gobain PAM UK’s third sustainability report highlights progress towards the company’s sustainability objectives, which include targets for reducing carbon emissions, energy usage and landfill waste.

The report details significant improvements in the area of waste management, particularly at the company’s sites in Holwell and Telford.

At the Holwell plant, Saint-Gobain has reduced waste being sent to our on-site landfill by 83% in 2011 through a range of initiatives, such as introducing reusable refractory ladle linings and selling used sand for building block manufacture.

The Telford site has also reduced its waste dramatically: in 2009, 3,200 tonnes of waste were sent to landfill at Telford, whereas 2011 saw this cut to 848 tonnes.

Another significant project has been on the Holwell Cupola furnace – the largest in the UK – which has reduced the company’s environmental impact at a local level.

“The Cupola project at our Holwell site has cut water usage by 28,000m3 - a reduction of 63% at that site alone,” reported Paul Minchin of Saint-Gobain PAM UK.

Saint-Gobain replaced a wet scrubber system with a new control system, delivering a new dry bag filter solution, helping to meet environmental targets for emissions reduction in particular.

A heat exchanger was also fitted to recover waste heat from combustion gases. These steps have dramatically reduced water usage, electricity, raw materials and refractories to landfill.

This investment was also a factor in Saint-Gobain PAM obtaining CEMARS - Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme - accreditation.

Other gains included a 4.3% reduction in carbon emissions between 2010 and 2011, with a target of 7% by 2014, plus a reduction in water usage of 18% since 2009 across the company.

“Our products manufactured in the UK are made from 97% recycled materials,” said Minchin. “As a manufacturer of ductile iron pipe systems, access covers and gratings, above and below ground cast iron drainage systems and fittings, we have an inherent advantage in meeting significant sustainability targets.

“Nevertheless, we strive to continuously meet ethical and economic goals, and our third sustainability report looks forward to the coming years and what we can do to further improve the environmental impact of our operations.”