Collaboration is key
ABB's electromagnetic stirrers streamline resource efficiency, improve quality and productivity in energy-intensive steel and aluminum plants. The fact that the stirrer has a long life, often longer than 25 years, is really positive, but also means that it contributes to emissions for just as long. Since 95 percent of ABB Metallurgy's customers are located globally, ArcSave's CO2 emissions are mainly derived from a fossil-based electricity mix during the user phase.
“Every emissions reduction counts in the transition to a low carbon society. Therefore, we cannot simplify by comparing the large emissions generated during the user phase with the significantly smaller emissions from the production phase. At ABB we must take responsibility and influence all parts within our control. Besides a more efficient product, this includes the production process, materials and suppliers,” says Alice Granehed.
"ABB's sustainability agenda for 2030 is ambitious. The challenge – to reduce emissions in line with the targets – requires every reduction in CO2 footprint that we can make,” says Alice Granehed.
The ArcSave electromagnetic stirrer consists of 95 percent steel and copper. Earlier this year, ABB entered into a strategic collaboration with
Boliden to use recycled copper with a lower carbon footprint in their water-cooled stirrers. This type of collaboration has a key role to play in reducing environmental impact.
“We have strong relationships with our suppliers and are working together to investigate new approaches. ABB Metallurgydoes not, for example, buy steel directly from the steel mill, but our suppliers do, therefore, we need to influence them to choose alternatives with lower emissions and aim for completely fossil free steel in the future,” says Thom Holmberg, Supply Chain Manager at ABB Metallurgy.