Comun Nuovo (BG), April 2021 – Stemin, a leading company in the recovery of ferrous and non-ferrous metals with an attached foundry for the production of secondary aluminium semifinished products, has been using oxycombustion technology for many years to reduce the environmental impact of its activities, allowing for a reduction of CO2 emissions by over 30% for the same number of tons produced.
Pure oxygen, necessary for the operation of melting activities, was previously stored in liquid form and transported by tank trucks.
In the ongoing process of improving the internal safety of its employees and focusing on the surrounding environment, Stemin in Comun Nuovo has concluded a multi-year agreement with SOL S.p.A. – an Italian multinational leader in the production and marketing of technical gases – for the supply of oxygen via direct access to the existing oxygen pipeline in the area, eliminating the need for liquid gas supply via tank trucks.
Compared to receiving liquid gas, the supply via underground piping will bring substantial benefits both in terms of workplace safety for employees, thanks to reduced internal transportation of vehicles within the plant and in terms of production efficiency, making Stemin S.p.A. more flexible and autonomous with respect to the gas supply, ensuring continuous production.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the investment will have a significant and tangible effect at the local level, as the community will notice a marked improvement in traffic flow and a corresponding reduction in the environmental impact of the supply itself, thanks to the elimination of road transport (less than 800 heavy vehicles per year, totaling around 100,000 km driven), with an estimated CO2 emission saving of 66,000 kg per year and a reduction in nitrogen oxides and particulate matter of 644 kg per kilometer.
For the FECS Group, of which Stemin has been the flagship company since its founding in 1999, this is the second oxygen pipeline project within two years, following the one installed at Radiatori 2000 in Ciserano (BG) in November 2019. It is a symbol of ongoing attention to the Bergamo territory and a constant desire for improvement and efficiency.
This project, along with the focus on 4.0 technology investments, is part of the sustainable industrial development plan that the FECS Group has been pursuing for years and intends to intensify in this three-year period, which is full of opportunities despite the challenging and uncertain period.
“Only through daily and continuous improvements in production processes can significant benefits be achieved for the environment, the community, safety, and the sustainability of industrial activity within a globalized market. With awareness and knowledge, we can be protagonists of economic development that can be reached without harming our territory and bringing inclusive wealth,”
said FECS Group President Olivo Foglieni at the start of the supply.
To learn more about Stemin’s activities: www.stemin.it
