ArcelorMittal is pleased to announce the publication of its 'Corporate Responsibility Report 2008: How will we achieve safe sustainable steel?' ArcelorMittal considers this question to be at the heart of its corporate responsibility strategy.

  • Ambition to deliver Safe Sustainable Steel re-stated
  • US$295m spent on Research and Development in 2008
  • Commitment made to reduce CO2 emissions by 8% by 2020
  • 36m tonnes of CO2 emissions saved through recycling of scrap steel in 2008

Achievements in 2008:

  • Foremost, ArcelorMittal developed a new corporate responsibility strategy, which categorises its previous 12 commitments into four priority areas, and is backed up by performance indicators. The performance areas are:
  • Investing in our people
  • Making steel more sustainable
  • Enriching our communities
  • Transparent Governance
  • Some of these performance areas are already measured against targets. For example, ArcelorMittal has a commitment to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 8% by 2020 from a 2007 baseline.
  • ArcelorMittal has also achieved certification to ISO standards of environmental, and Health and Safety management systems, in 91% and 37% of operations respectively.
  • ArcelorMittal spent US$295m on Research and Development in 14 different research centres across the globe in 2008.
  • At ArcelorMittal, 36m tonnes of CO2 emissions were saved through recycling of scrap steel.
  • The ArcelorMittal Foundation supported 587 projects with investments amounting to over US$57m

ArcelorMittal is working on advanced technologies to redefine the steel making process and contribute positively to the global challenge of climate change. It is using its expertise in steel to find ways to operate more efficiently, to develop pioneering new processes and more sustainable practices, and to work in partnership with its customers and suppliers to help them achieve their environmental goals.

Some of ArcelorMittal's operations are already outstanding examples of industry leading best practice in social and environmental performance. Indeed some, like those in Brazil, have a long and proud track record in this area, and are regularly cited as role models for others. Likewise, its plants in Europe and the US have set the pace for the whole steel industry in carbon emission reductions. Reaching these high standards across the business is a priority for ArcelorMittal.

Other highlights in this year's report include:

  • Communities – Habitat for Humanity: In 2008, the ArcelorMittal Foundation set up a partnership with Habitat for Humanity that involved financial support, volunteering opportunities for our employees and a design scheme to use our expertise in steel construction to develop new, sustainable, low-cost approaches to building family homes. The first steel frame homes are being constructed in Romania, using light steel frames designed by our R&D team in Liege, Belgium. The goal is to build more durable homes using steel frames and roofing in countries that are prone to natural disasters, as well as training communities to adopt safer construction practices.
  • South Africa Schools: Formed a partnership with the South African Department of Education to build ten schools throughout the country using new steel technology. The first school, Mamelodi Primary, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009. This investment not only ensures that we have a pool of skilled resources for our own operations, but also contributes towards addressing the skills shortage in the country in general.
  • Workplace:
  • $20 million dollars invested by ArcelorMittal University in training programmes for employees
  • 17,751 participants from 23 countries in its academies and induction programmes, representing almost 40,000 training days
  • Group lost time injury frequency rate was reduced to 2.3 per million hours worked (from 3.3 in 2007).

Commenting on the launch of the report, Gonzalo Urquijo, Member of ArcelorMittal's Group Management Board responsible for Corporate Responsibility, said: "As the 28th largest business in the world, operating in 60 different countries, we have an important responsibility not only to business, but also to society more generally.  Our corporate responsibility strategy has been designed to ensure that as a business, we don't only focus on what we do, but also how we do it. We want to make sure that wherever ArcelorMittal is located in the world, we are producing steel to the highest standards with the most positive benefits for all our stakeholders, direct and indirect.  We are aware of the areas where we need to improve and although we don't have all the answers yet, we are investing in resources to find them." 

The report is based around ArcelorMittal's four areas of corporate responsibility: Investing in our people; Making steel more sustainable; Enriching our communities; and Transparent Governance and  is available at www.arcelormittal.com > Corporate Responsibility

About ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal is one of the world’s leading integrated steel and mining companies with a presence in 60 countries and primary steelmaking operations in 15 countries. It is the largest steel producer in Europe, among the largest in the Americas, and has a growing presence in Asia through its joint venture AM/NS India. ArcelorMittal sells its products to a diverse range of customers including the automotive, engineering, construction and machinery industries, and in 2023 generated revenues of $68.3 billion, produced 58.1 million metric tonnes of crude steel and, 42.0 million tonnes of iron ore. Our purpose is to produce smarter steels for people and planet. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for the renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century. With steel at our core, our inventive people and an entrepreneurial culture at heart, we will support the world in making that change. ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).

http://corporate.arcelormittal.com/
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