“When we talk about steel, we must realize that steel is a fabric of life. Steel can be recycled endlessly without impacting the environment. We all acknowledge the importance of protecting the environment, not only because the development of the steel industry depends on the efficient management of resources, but also because protecting the environment is essential to our lives now and for our future generations.

Our team is heavily involved in continuously improving the environmental performance, carrying out various prevention activities: monitoring the quality of the environmental factors (air, water, soil), managing waste and hazardous substances, setting up trainings meant to raise awareness and to improve the environmental protection activity at each and every working place. Of great help is the implementation and continuous improvement of the environment management system, which adds value in line with our customers’ demand.

We maintain an open dialogue with our interested stakeholders, inviting them to periodical communication sessions. Protecting the environment is not an obligation, but a responsibility of each one of us, both at our working place and at home. We take this responsibility seriously, not only for ourselves and our industrial activity, but also for the people to live around us and for our future generations.”

Mirela Dobrota, Head of the Environmental Protection Department, LIBERTY Galati

Dear Friends,

On June 5th, we celebrate International Environment Day.

Ithis is an opportunity for us to remember that the Earth needs us now more than ever. We are part of an ecosystem and it is time to improve our relationship with nature, which makes life possible. If we don’t protect nature, we can’t protect ourselves, and so we jeopardise the future generations.

So far, economic development and increased consumption have damaged the environment. But now it is the time to take care of the Earth and act before it is too late. The time has come to put the future at the centre of all our actions and decisions, and the reason is simple: there is only one Earth.

We steelmakers are at the forefront of industries that want to rapidly and sustainably improve their interaction with the environment. Steel is an environmentally friendly material because it can be recycled an infinite number of times. However, globally the steel industry has a major environmental impact. That is why at LIBERTY Galati we aim to radically change this industry.

Our answer is to this issue is GREENSTEEL and the plan is ambitious and far-reaching: to decarbonise production by 2030 following an investment of almost €1 billion. How will we do this? We will move from traditional blast furnace production to new technologies for reducing iron from ore, firstly using methane gas and then hydrogen and electric arc furnaces. The new technology involves increased use of scrap iron, supporting the circular economy. Last but not least, we will produce more electricity using the sun and wind, making better use of the land available. Let’s not forget that we will soon be closing the Slag Dump for good and that we are carrying out major water courses adjustments and earthwork operations, in respect for the environment and the community.

“The people of steel” in LIBERTY Galați will therefore be among the first to bring “a greener steel” to Galati and the country. But we can all protect the Earth not only when we work, but also at home! A switch turned off at the right time, a tap turned off when water is not needed, even cleaning around the house, all these are small gestures, but they make a big difference if we all do them.

And there is one more important thing we can do: inform ourselves about climate changes here and educate the people around us, prepare ourselves for new, environmentally friendly technologies through the training courses we have available and prepare the next generations for the steel industry of the future. I am happy to announce that the GREENSTEEL Academy has made an extraordinary accomplishment: include in the curriculum of the students from “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati a GREENSTEEL learning module that includes climate changes, current and future steelmaking processes and support for their careers.

Together we can save planet Earth – by responsible actions at home, through sustainable programmes at LIBERTY Galati and through innovative learning methods at elite universities.

Mirela Dobrotă

Head of Environmental Department of LIBERTY Galati