Long gone are the days when the steel industry was associated with heavy emissions and resource-intensive processes. Meet Metalfer Group, a pioneer in the construction and building materials industry, that has put ESG considerations at the heart of their operations. We are thrilled to announce that they will be joining the ESG Adria Summit 2024 as a bronze sponsor!

Metalfer Group operates across multiple sectors including construction materials, sustainable mining, infrastructure, investment, and renewable energy. Through an extensive portfolio of steel products and stone aggregates, Metalfer Group encourages a robust and sustainable infrastructure that stands the test of time, thereby empowering the social community and stimulating economic growth. 

Metalfer is a 100% recycler. They collect metal scrap, which is melted in an EAF (electric arc furnace) and turned into billets, from which they produce rebar and wire rod. Since they use electricity in this process, Metalfer has invested heavily in renewable energy and has so far built over 3MW of solar photovoltaic plants. Over the next couple of years, they plan to build an additional 30MW of solar photovoltaic plants. Meanwhile, all electricity used in their production lines is sourced exclusively from renewable sources.

Metalfer's carbon footprint is one of the lowest in the industry as they have designed their plants in a way that allow them to reduce the carbon print to a minimum, while the electric energy that is used in production comes only from renewable energy sources.

Community engagement is integral to Metalfer Group's sustainability strategy, with a focus on education, innovation, and social welfare. 

Community engagement is integral to Metalfer Group's sustainability strategy, with a focus on education, innovation, and social welfare. Their commitment to sustainability extends deeply into the local community, where they actively engage in various initiatives to support and uplift. From partnering with local educational institutions to provide hands-on learning opportunities for future technicians and engineers, to collaborating with esteemed organisations like the University of Novi Sad and the Bor Institute on innovative projects, their aim is to empower growth through knowledge exchange. Additionally, they prioritise social welfare by offering scholarships to the children of their employees and donating equipment to enhance community facilities such as Recycling Parks and Smart benches. Their support for local sports clubs, societies, and talented youths underscores their dedication to nurturing talent and promoting holistic well-being within the community.

In its endeavour to forge a sustainable future, last year Metalfer introduced an innovative product – Metalfer® Green Steel. Metalfer Green Steel is essentially represented by the production of steel without the use of fossil fuels. Unlike the majority of steel mills which use coal-based blast furnaces, Metalfer only uses electric furnaces in its production of green steel. Constant innovation is at the forefront of their daily work, and they continue working tirelessly to further reduce the carbon footprint to a minimum and are committed to remaining among the best in their industry.

The construction and building materials industry is undergoing a transformation towards embracing sustainable practices, particularly in steel manufacturing.

The construction and building materials industry is undergoing a transformation towards embracing sustainable practices, particularly in steel manufacturing. Steel manufacturing and the construction industry, in general, used to be one of the largest producers of CO2, particularly in the developed world. However, over the past few years, the “old-fashioned” way of producing steel and steel products by using traditional blast furnaces is moving towards electric arc furnaces and hydrogen-based production of steel, significantly reducing the carbon footprint generated from the steel industry. Metalfer recognised this issue a long time ago and has invested heavily in the newest technologies that use only electricity generated from renewable resources.

"Metalfer Group's holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing innovation, community engagement, and environmental protection, sets a precedent for responsible corporate citizenship and paves the way for a more sustainable future in the construction and building materials industry", said Biljana Braithwaite, CEO of Sustineri Partners, organiser of the ESG Adria Summit.

To learn more about the Metalfer Group, visit their official website.