Iron and steel production begins with mining
of ores. Then the ores are refined or smelted. The raw metal is then
usually cast into ingots, which then may be sent to basic metal fabricators who cast
metals into forms. This process applies to both iron (ferrous) and all other
(non-ferrous) ores. The metal casting sub-sector has its own cleaner production
solutions. Ingots may also be forged into products, and the forging sub-sector also
has cleaner production solutions. Thus, iron and steel is only very different from
other basic metals in the ore refining process. Steel making uses large amounts of
coke, so cleaner production in coke manufacturing is an important element of life-cycle
management of the iron and steel industry.
Cleaner production solutions in this industry
are typically not low-cost. At the low-cost end, recycling of foundry sand and
cooling water are prominent. But real production process improvements tend to focus
on new designs for furnaces and energy conservation, and these typically require
significant capital investments.
Researchers looking for cleaner production
solutions in the iron and steel industry will find numerous case studies, sector guides
and active trade associations. It is important to also consider solutions from the
non-ferrous metals industry. For example, the UK seems to include both iron and
non-iron metals under the general heading of "Foundries", and good ideas may be
found in either sub-sectors that apply to both of them.
The tables below list low-cost or no-cost solutions to
reduce waste and pollution in any metal plating company, including ones in developing
countries. All of these ideas have been proven to help small companies, anywhere in the
world, save money while protecting the environment. The PAMA should demonstrate that these
options have been considered thoroughly. Direct links to online guides to metal plating
pollution prevention follow the table.
