Environment

The construction industry is seeing an increased interest in environmentally friendly products and production processes, particularly with regard to energy consumption and the chemical content of products.

By focusingon product development and continuous improvement,

products have been developed that are good from both a quality

and environmental perspective, and that also improve customers’

environmental performance.

Environmental workProductionEmissions & wasteClimateREACH

Governance

Lindab’s continuous environmental work is governed by the environmental policy and agreed environmental objectives.

The direct responsibility for environmental issues within Lindab lies with the local companies, each of which has one person responsible for local environmental work. The Group has a central environmental function with responsibility for the development, coordination and monitoring of the environmental work. A Group-wide environmental council has been
appointed with a representative from each business area. Each business unit is continuously monitored and compared with other units within the Group.

Environmental management system

ISO 14001

Most of Lindab’s major production units are certified according to ISO 14001, with more to be certified in future. Non-certified companies are primarily sales companies.

Permits

The permits that are required for Lindab’s operations normally relate to ordinary business permits for the industry, and in certain places permits regarding the size of the factory site and the handling of oils. Reports are
submitted to regulatory bodies in each country. No violations of permit conditions or local environmental laws have occurred in 2010 or previously.

Lindab's energy and climate objectives

Lindab has set three long-term objectives aimed at reducing the Group’s impact on the environment and climate. The objectives are based on the EU’s objectives for 2020 and mean that taking 2008 values as a starting point:

• energy consumption will decrease by 20 percent

• 20 percent of energy will come from renewable sources

• greenhouse gas emissions will decrease by 20 percent.

The long-term objectives are complemented by shorter, more locally based objectives and activities. In particular, this means better processes and reduced energy consumption. These have not been fully achieved in 2010,
primarily because of production cutbacks.

Localisation

Lindab’s production units are generally situated within areas designated for industrial activities, where operations have no direct impact on biodiversity.

Resource use

Lindab’s main raw material is steel, of which 20 percent is estimated to come from recycled sources. Additive materials are also used such as paint, rubber seals, plus lubricants and oils for metal processing. Furthermore, the production requires certain chemicals and fuels for the operation of furnaces, vehicles, trucks and heating.

Water is used in production primarily for cooling and cleaning. In 2010, 193,000 m3 (187,000) of water was used, mainly from the company’s own wells. Measures to reduce water consumption include the installation of water saving taps, as well as recycling process water.

Energy conservation is an important area for Lindab. In 2010, the Group consumed approximately 403 TJ (407 TJ) of energy, of which 15 (15) percent came from renewable sources. Several projects are under way to
reduce overall energy consumption.

Production

Lindab’s operations, with the manufacture of steel products, have a relatively small environmental impact. This can be small emissions of dust, solvents from paint and metals into waste water. The processes that can result in emissions into water use closed systems, and air containing dust is filtered continually prior to being emitted. No unintended emissions have occurred during the year.

In connection with a major environmental review conducted in 2006, traces of the degreaser trichloroethylene were discovered in groundwater at the factories in Grevie and Förslöv. The product was used during the period
1969–76 for degreasing metal. In order to monitor the pollution, Lindab has taken regular samples over a three year period. The samples have shown that the levels fall well below the limit for drinking water and
discussions are being held with the country administrative board regarding how inspections should continue.

Most of the Group’s production facilities are connected to municipal drainage. Water that is discharged over land surfaces is runoff and coolant water. This is usually clean but small traces of metal deposits may be present. To protect against accidental discharges there are degreasers and sediment traps.

Leakage checks on cooling/heating pump equipment are carried out to avoid ozone-depleting substances from leaking out. No emissions have been recorded to date. Independent inspections of the business have been made showing that no pollution has occurred that may require the decontamination of soil or water.