We are committed to producing cleaner, greener, and more circular steel.
To achieve this, we are building two modern installations: a Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant and an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). These will substantially cut our emissions, particularly CO₂. We also want to reduce particulate matter (“PM”) emissions further, as this is vital for creating a healthier living environment. For this reason, additional environmental measures form an important part of our Green Steel Plan and are included in our tailored agreements with the government. Key measures include coverings for ore scrap yards, slag processing areas and a scrap yard. We also want to build a wind barrier at one of our ore mixing yards.
At present, we have open areas with large piles of ore and coal. Some are used for storage, while others are used to mix ores into the correct composition. Because these raw materials are stored outdoors, they can be dispersed by wind under certain weather conditions, despite being regularly dampened with water or pulp. We therefore plan to install coverings over a number of these yards.
Ore Stockyard
At Ore Storage Yard 2, we are constructing the Ore Stockyard – a vast hall designed to store large quantities of ore. This will greatly reduce the dispersal of particulate matter from ore storage into the surrounding environment. The hall will measure 174m x 102m x 48m. For comparison: a medium-sized cruise ship such as the “Princess Seaways” (to Newcastle) is 163 metres long, and the width is comparable to a football pitch.
Pre-blending Yard
At Ore Mixing Yard 2, raw materials are currently blended outdoors to achieve the correct composition. To improve this, we are constructing the Pre-blending Yard – a covered hall where ore mixtures will be prepared under controlled conditions. The facility will measure 312m x 65m x 21m. Three hundred twelve metres is nearly the same as the height of the Eiffel Tower.
Processing and sorting scrap generates particulate matter. At present, our scrap yard is uncovered, allowing particles to spread into the environment. We therefore plan to construct a covered hall over the scrap yard and install misting systems. The hall will measure 375m x 94m x 23m. This will substantially reduce particulate matter emissions from scrap processing. An additional benefit is that the hall will also reduce noise emissions from scrap processing, particularly for residents in Wijk aan Zee. At 375 metres, the hall is almost as long as the Empire State Building is tall (381 metres).
At Ore Mixing Yard 1, we are building a wind barrier around the existing ore yard. The barrier will be 21 metres high – three metres taller than the existing barrier along Reyndersweg. This will minimise dust dispersion from the yard towards nearby residential areas.
Steel slag, a by-product of the steel production process, is processed and stored on-site by our partners Harsco and Pelt & Hooykaas. Particulate matter can also be released during this process. To address this, we are implementing additional measures, such as installing coverings over processing areas, wind barriers, and misting systems. These actions will help reduce dust dispersion in the vicinity of Wijk aan Zee.
What will these measures achieve?
The measures to reduce particulate matter form a core part of our Green Steel Plan and represent one of the largest environmental investments in the region. The three new coverings and the wind barrier are central to this initiative. It is expected that the wind barrier, Pre-blending Yard and Scrap Yard will be completed by no later than 2027. The goal is to have the new Ore Stockyard ready by 2030.
Together, these measures will contribute directly to the objective of reducing particulate matter emissions in the IJmond region by 35% by 2030. In addition to these extra measures, we have already taken various steps in recent years to reduce emissions of particulate matter, odour, noise and PAHs.