Circular Economy (Waste management)

Control, continuous reduction and proper management of solid and liquid waste, with the implementation of recovery, reuse and recycling techniques where possible, in accordance with the main axes of the MYTILINEOS Environmental policy and the application of Best Available Techniques in the production process.

The gradual reduction of available bauxite disposal sites represents a key environmental risk for MYTILINEOS, which may lead to negative impacts on the Company’s social and financial performance.

In the Metallurgy Business Unit, which accounts for 99% of the Company’s total waste:

• MYTILINEOS has set ambitious targets regarding the production of secondary aluminum and the use of recycled (scrap) aluminum by 2025 and 2030.

• In 2021, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was completed to assess the potential environmental impacts of bauxite mining and alumina and aluminum production, according to ISO 14040 and 14044.

• Specially configured landfills (Controlled Landfill for Hazardous Waste and Controlled Landfill for Non-Hazardous Waste) are maintained and used, while the disposal of bauxite residues (non-hazardous waste which constitutes 95% of the total waste of the Company) is carried out in a specialized way, based on geotechnical studies, following the natural relief of the area.

• The Company continues to consistently invest in the installation of pilot units for the development of research in the exploitation of bauxite residues, by participating in European programs concerning the use of energy-efficient “green” technologies for the production of useful products and materials, as well as for the development of technologies for the extraction of rare earth elements.

• The largest percentage of liquid waste is recycled within the production process itself, while three Biological Treatment Facilities are in operation.

• In 2021 the BU participated in 24 research projects (4 new and 20 continued from 2020), co-financed by the EU or the Greek state through the programs H2020, EIT Raw Materials, EIT Manufacturing, ERA-MIN 2 and GSRI. These programs research topics such as:
  • Utilization of bauxite residues for the production of scandium, iron, alumina, cement additives and construction products.
  • Production of alumina from alternative (secondary) sources.
  • Utilization of carbonated alumina electrolysis by-products.
  • Heat recovery - use of RES in the production of aluminum.
  • New tools / training courses for engineers and craftsmen working in the raw materials and metallurgy sector.
  • New aluminum recycling technologies & digitization of processes in alumina production.

The total funding of the programs, in the period 2017-2025, exceeds 120 million Euros, out of which 8.7 million Euros is the funding of the Metallurgy BU of MYTILINEOS.

In each BU and production facility:

• Networks for the collection of waste for reuse and recycling are in operation.

• In cases where recycling cannot be completed internally, the Company cooperates with alternative waste management system organizations, as well as with licensed (per waste category) waste collection, transportation, management and recovery contractors in Greece and abroad.

• The management of the water discharges is fully controlled and takes place in accordance with the parameters determined by the environmental terms and regulations, under which the relevant environmental licenses have been obtained.

• ISO 14001:2015
• GRI Standards
• SASB Standards
• UN Global Compact