Our Responsibility for the Environment and Climate

The environment is a key issue that runs through our entire value chain, from extraction and transport to the control and management of processes at our facilities. The most significant environmental impact at our facilities that produce calcined products is CO₂ emissions. Therefore, we have set ambitious goals within the framework of our future concept ZEQL to halve these emissions by 2030. The boxes contain brief excerpts from our 2024 Sustainability Report. Read the full content here.

SMA Mineral’s products are essential and have a positive impact on the environment. At the same time, we consume natural resources, leave a footprint on land and biodiversity, and emit environmentally harmful gases from our processes. To reduce our climate footprint, we work hard and purposefully to improve the efficiency of our use of materials and energy. We have also established an ambitious roadmap to halve emissions from the production of calcined products.

Our environmental work is governed by a comprehensive operational policy that includes environment, quality, health, and safety.

SMA Mineral is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. We continuously work to prevent environmental risks and minimize our impact on climate and the environment by using the best available technology and methods within the cement and calcium industries. We are also working to phase out products that are hazardous to health and the environment, increase resource efficiency, and minimize our carbon dioxide emissions.

Environmental Permits

SMA Mineral's operations are governed and regulated by environmental permits issued by national environmental authorities. The permitting processes always include both an assessment and a review phase.

Management of Emissions and Pollution

Risk assessments for emissions of pollutants from the company’s operations are conducted in connection with applications for environmental permits. The permits specify limit values for emissions to air, land, and water. Based on the environmental permit, a monitoring program is established.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The majority of CO₂ emissions in our operations come from the production of burnt lime, which involves the breakdown of carbonates and fuel combustion in the kiln. Emission reductions will be achieved through new technologies, such as the ZEQL concept, the CCU project, and fuel switching to bio-based fuels with lower emissions.

Improved Resource Efficiency

Protecting the resources we use in our production is an important area of responsibility for SMA Mineral. Our 2020–2030 roadmap includes major improvements in material efficiency and circular economy practices.

Material Efficiency and Circular Economy

SMA Mineral aims to implement a circular economy and make efficient use of resources—both in our own raw material extraction and by using recycled oil in our lime kilns, as well as reusing dregs (mesa) by re-burning them to recover lime, which can then be used in the pulp and paper industry.

Waste

Waste generated in our operations must not cause harm or danger to human health or the environment. At our facilities, the storage of chemicals and environmentally hazardous waste is managed in a way that prevents the substances from being released into the environment, even in the event of an accident.

Biodiversity

SMA Mineral conducts operations in direct proximity to natural areas, including areas within conservation programs and privately protected nature reserves. The company has a responsibility to ensure the survival of rare and endangered species in and around its mining areas.

SMA Mineral AB
Box 329
682 27 Filipstad
SWEDEN

+46 590 - 164 00
sma@smamineral.se

Our Responsibility for the Environment and Climate

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