Sustainability
Quality and know-how
More than two words
Environmental and Climate Protection
For Stahlwerk Annahütte, responsible business practices mean taking financial, environmental and social aspects equally into account in corporate decisions and throughout the entire value chain. We are aware of the impact of our business activities and aim to make these impacts transparent. Forward-looking and resource-efficient business practices are important to us.
Resource Conservation and Emission Reduction
Our environmental management aims to conserve natural resources and continuously reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Water as an Energy Source
Stahlwerk Annahütte operates two hydropower plants.
Power Supply:
100 % Renewable
Stahlwerk Annahütte uses electricity from 100% renewable energy sources, both from its own electricity generation and from externally purchased electricity. Stahlwerk Annahütte is located alongside the Saalach River, which forms part of the German-Austrian border, and operates two of its own hydroelectric power plants. These generate up to 50% of our electricity requirements. Since 2022, we have also sourced 100% of our externally purchased electricity from renewable energy sources.
Expanding our own electricity generation is an important objective at Stahlwerk Annahütte. For example, a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 425 kWp was installed in 2022.
Steel products can be recycled repeatedly with virtually no loss of quality, making steel an important material in the circular economy.
Products made from steel are an excellent example of a circular economy in action, as they can be recycled infinitely and with virtually no loss in quality.
A Key Step In Reducing Emissions
In 2024, the most important measure to reduce emissions was the complete renewal of our walking beam furnace. Thanks to a special combustion air-preheating system and the use of high-technology burners, the furnace achieves reduced energy consumption values as well as lower CO2 and NOX emissions. Additionally, the admixture of green hydrogen of up to 30 % is possible, leading to significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
CO2-Reduced Steel Production in the Circular Economy
Stahlwerk Annahütte aims to use resources as efficiently as possible. Decarbonising our steel production is an important objective. Around 98% of the steel billets we use are sourced from our sister company, Lech-Stahlwerke GmbH (LSW). LSW recycles steel scrap into new steel using electric arc furnaces. Steel scrap can be recycled repeatedly with virtually no loss of quality, making it an important material for recycling processes.
According to the company’s comparison, this electric arc furnace (EAF) route uses approximately 80% less energy and produces approximately 80% fewer CO₂ emissions than the conventional blast furnace route (BOF).
Together with its own recycling companies, the Max Aicher Group covers the entire range of the steel value chain.
Our Approach to CO₂-Reduced Steel Production
Science-Based Climate Targets
Our climate targets have been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). By 2033, we aim to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 61.68% and our Scope 3 emissions by 35.89% compared with the 2021 base year. In doing so, we are pursuing a science-based transformation pathway with the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across our entire value chain by 2045.
We regularly publish detailed information on our greenhouse gas inventory, emissions development and the underlying climate targets in our sustainability report, which is available upon request.
Responsible Procurement and Logistics
Stahlwerk Annahütte aims to source from regional manufacturers wherever possible. Approximately 91% of the purchasing value of raw materials, auxiliary materials and operating supplies is sourced from Germany, while Germany and Austria together account for 95%.
Steel billets are delivered exclusively by rail.
According to the German Environment Agency’s publication Emissions in Freight Transport, greenhouse gas emissions from rail freight transport amount to 14 g/tkm (grams per tonne-kilometre), compared with 118 g/tkm for truck transport (both figures refer to 2024).
Based on these figures, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting steel billets by rail are approximately 85% lower than those for transport by truck.
Rail as a means of transportation
Steel billets are loaded onto the company’s own railway system.
Efficient Water Usage at Stahlwerk Annahütte
Stahlwerk Annahütte aims for sustainable water management in its processes.
Water and Wastewater
Stahlwerk Annahütte pays attention to the efficient use of water in its processes.
The cooling water required for our equipment is drawn from our plant well. After being used several times, it undergoes an extensive treatment process before being discharged into a surface water body.
Certain product groups undergo quenching and tempering in the rolling mill’s water cooling section. Only stream water is used for this process, thereby reducing groundwater extraction.
As an officially recognised drinking water supplier, we operate our own drinking water well. In addition to supplying our own facilities, the main recipients are the Ainring districts of Hammerau, Au and Hagenau.
Between 160,000 and 180,000 m³ of drinking water are extracted from this well annually. Drinking water quality is continuously monitored by an external laboratory.
Sustainability Report
Living the Circular Economy
Occupational Health and Safety
Workplace safety and the health of our employees are our top priorities. For this reason, occupational health and safety is a central concern in our company and an integral part of all operational processes. A comprehensive occupational health and safety management system helps us to create safe and healthy workplaces in our company. Prevention is a core component of occupational health and safety.
Our occupational health and safety management system has been certified according to DIN ISO 45001 since July 2022.
Our goal is to continuously improve working conditions in a challenging working environment. Our employees are the most valuable resource in our value chain. Therefore, their health and well-being are a focal point. Promoting awareness of occupational health and safety and encouraging health-conscious behavior is foundational to developing a culture of prevention. Risk assessments play a key role in the preventive occupational health and safety. Our objective is to enhance these risk assessments through cross-departmental collaboration to achieve the highest possible level of employee protection.
All accidents are recorded and thoroughly investigated to implement effective measures immediately to prevent recurrence. This supports our efforts to continuously reduce the frequency of accidents.
Various preventive measures such as free otoplastics, the use of exoskeletons, or the installation of height-adjustable desks contribute to health protection. A foundation-owned fitness studio and the offer to lease company bikes further promote employee well-being.
