Back
39. New study indicates potential for improving the environmental performance of stainless steel made from our nickel and chrome products
All products in our Stainless Steel Materials portfolio have life cycles that begin with the extraction of raw materials and progress through manufacturing to consumption and finally disposal or reuse of the end products. Throughout the product life cycles, inputs include resources and energy, while outputs include air emissions, water, wastes and commercial products, many of which play useful roles in our everyday lives. This year we completed a study to help us better understand the environmental strengths and weaknesses of our processing operations and the environmental impacts and benefits of stainless steel (made from our products) during its life cycle.
Following our previously reported life cycle assessments (LCAs) of our main nickel and chrome products, the new study centred on our QNI Yabulu Refinery in north Queensland, Australia. Conducted with the BHP Billiton Newcastle Technology Centre, the study was undertaken to determine how changes in eco-efficiency of the plant operation since 1998, and the proposed introduction of new technology as part of future expansion, could deliver improvements in the environmental performance of stainless steel made from our nickel and chrome products.
The impact assessment is based on the following inventory values:
- Resource energy
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Oxides of sulphur
- Suspended particulate material
- Acidification potential
- Nutrification potential
- Photochemical ozone formation potential
- Solid waste.
The study found that, when compared with the current mining and refining process, the expanded Yabulu Refinery would significantly reduce the environmental impacts of nickel production. This is particularly pleasing when it is considered that approximately 40 per cent of production from the proposed expanded Yabulu Refinery would still be provided by the current process, meaning there is scope for even greater improvement.
We have conducted and been involved with previous LCA studies on nickel and chrome products, including the Nickel Development Institute (NiDI) worldwide nickel LCA study and the pilot project performed at the BHP Billiton Newcastle Technology Centre for the purpose of establishing a baseline stainless steel case study. Both these studies were described in the 2002 BHP Billiton HSEC Report.
In addition to details of our LCA studies, we have information on health, safety and environmental issues associated with our products available on-line. This system provides BHP Billiton businesses with access to relevant current and proposed legislation, life cycle inventory and assessment information, safety data sheets on different materials, and health and environmental data on our products.
Based on this and other relevant information, we provide advice on the responsible use of our products to immediate customers, end-users and other interested parties. This advice includes information on product use, storage, transport, recycling and disposal.
Ultimately, by taking a whole-of-life view of our products, we aim to ensure that they are sustainable and valuable to our customers and shareholders. Nickel and chrome are key components of long-life, recyclable products, including stainless steel. When the life cycles of these products finish, there is always the same amount of nickel or chrome existing as at the beginning.
At the end of their product life, stainless steel and most nickel and chrome alloys are recycled into new stainless steel, which usually contains around 50 per cent recycled material. Properly applied, materials containing nickel and chrome can help maintain and improve our quality of life and provide sustainable product solutions.
