As the very first steel production facility, Big River Steel has been recognized to be LEED certified based on its environmental sustainability efforts and energy efficiency performance. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is internationally recognized and the most widely used green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), that evaluates buildings and process loads that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated with a focus on environmental and human health attributes.

CSP^® plant

• Reduction of water consumption by 30% (compared to similar plants)
• Reduction of energy consumption by 25% due to water-cooled furnace rollers insulated with aluminium silicate wool
• Installation of variable speed motors along and a comprehensive set of energy saving tools

Pickling line / tandem cold mill

• New generation fume exhaust system for strictest air limit values and reduction of energy use

Batch annealing furnaces:

• Meeting of stringent U.S. environmental laws by special low-NOx gas burners at heading hoods

Universal annealing and galvanizing line

• Energy recovery in the pre-heating section: Hot waste gas from burners for heating of coils
• Exhaust air from burners and radiant tubes for preheating of combustion air
• Reduction of NOx contents in waste gas below 60 mg/Nm3 by selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

X-Pact^® electrics and automation

• Installation of extremely energy-efficient low voltage frequency converters