Sustainability
Quality and know-how
More than two words
Environmental and Climate Protection
For Stahlwerk Annahütte, sustainable business practices mean integrating financial, ecological, and social aspects equally into corporate decisions and throughout the entire value chain. We are aware of the impact of our operations and strive for transparency. Forward-thinking and resource-efficient operations are important to us.
Resource Conservation and Emission Reduction
Our environmental management focuses on conserving natural resources and continuously reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Water as an Energy Source
Stahlwerk Annahütte operates two hydropower plants.
Power Supply:
100 % Renewable
Stahlwerk Annahütte uses 100 % electricity from renewable sources – both from its own electricity generation and purchased electricity. Located along the German-Austrian border river Saalach, the plant generates up to 50 % of its electricity demand through its own two hydropower plants. Since 2022, all external electricity has also been sourced from renewable energies. Expanding in-house electricity production is a key goal, exemplified by the installation of a 425 kWp photovoltaic system in 2022.
This contributes significantly to preserving our environment.
Steel products are an excellent example of circular economy in practice, as they can be recycled indefinitely without significant quality loss.
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 and an overall more environmentally friendly production of our products.
CO2-Reduced Steel Production in the Circular Economy
Stahlwerk Annahütte is committed to using resources as efficiently as possible. Decarbonizing our steel production is a key objective. Approximately 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 as often as required without notable loss of quality, making an important contribution to the circular economy. Compared to the blast furnace route (BOF), this so-called electric steelmaking route consumes around 80 % less energy and emits 80 % less CO2. Together with its own recycling companies, the Max Aicher Group encompasses the entire value chain in the steel sector.
Our recipe for Green Steel?
Climate-Friendly Transportation
Stahlwerk Annahütte prioritizes regional suppliers wherever possible. As a result, approximately 94 % of procurement is within Germany, and 97 % within Germany and Austria combined.
All steel billets are delivered exclusively by rail. According to the German Environment Agency’s publication, “Emissions in Freight Transport”, rail freight transport produces 16 g/t km (grams per ton-kilometer) of greenhouse gas emissions, compared to 121 g/t km for truck transport (reference year 2022). This means emissions for billet delivery by rail are approximately 85 % lower than for delivery 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 economical use of water in its processes. Cooling water required for our aggregates is sourced from our plant well. After multiple uses, the water undergoes extensive purification before being discharged into surface waters. Specific product groups are quenched and tempered in the water cooling section of the rolling mill which exclusively uses stream water, minimizing groundwater extraction.
As an official drinking water supplier, we operate our own drinking water well. This well not only supplies our operations but also provides drinking water to the Ainring districts of Hammerau, Au, and Hagenau. Annually, 160,000 to 180,000 m³ of drinking water are extracted from this well. The water is of excellent quality and 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.
