Responsible steel-making Acroni

RESPONSIBLE STEEL-MAKING

Slovenian steel-making company Acroni d.o.o. is seeing the positive results of its ongoing, long-term investment programme, with plans for continued environmentally responsible success. Industry Europe spoke with general manager, Slavko Kanalec. Emma-Jane Batey reports.

One of Slovenia’s most successful steelmaking companies, Acroni d.o.o. is dedicated to expanding its operation in as environmentally responsible and commercially efficient manner possible. Thanks to on-going large-scale investment and a clear understanding of what its worldwide customer base requires, the company is well on track to achieve its aim.

Based in the Slovenian city of Jesenice, Acroni is the biggest company in Slovenian Steel Industry d.d. (SIJ), which in turn is a member of Industrial Metallurgical Holding (IMH), one of Slovenia’s leading business groups. Acroni’s general manager Slavko Kanalec told Industry Europe how being a part of this globally active group brought it considerable advantages. He said, “SIJ is one

of the 15 companies that make up IMH, and between us we have an unrivalled experience in the global steel-making industry, from production to process automation to sourcing materials. Acroni is small and nimble and we are focused on taking advantage of opportunities for niche products in the steel-making industry with high added value, so it means we have the best of both worlds. By having such close access to exceptional know-how and experience while being agile and flexible enough to make quick decisions, we can pass that advantage on to our customers.”

Niche yet varied

Acroni’s products and services are also a key element in the company’s success. As a manufacturer of basic iron, steel and ferro-alloys, Acroni offers stainless steel, electrical steel, special steel and structural steel. All the company’s production is conducted in Jesenice at its state-of-the-art facilities. Complementary services offered by Acroni include chemistry, technical control and research and development.

Mr Kanalec continued, “Our broad portfolio highlights how we are committed to providing

exactly what our customers want. We are focused on high added value iron and steel and within that we can deliver a very wide range of products and services. By essentially offering a wide range of niche products, we can continue to maintain our impressive market-leading position as we are not simply competing on price, but rather adding value to our customers’ offer by ensuring we meet their specific expectations.”

Effective research and development is an imperative aspect in Acroni’s market-leading position too. With a dedicated team focused solely on finding and manipulating information that will benefit the company and its customers, Acroni’s R&D department is central to its ability to deliver its added value niche products.

International standards

The company was officially founded in 1992, but its presence and capabilities reach back far further in other forms. By 1995, Acroni had gained the respected Quality Certificate for Production of Steel and Steel Products, with the world recognised ISO14001 and ISO9001:2000 soon following.

Mr Kanalec continued, “We export at least 70 per cent of our production so it is of the utmost importance that we achieve and maintain the very strictest quality standards that are recognised throughout the world.”

Ongoing investment has characterised Acroni’s success throughout its 20 year history. Early investment saw Acroni add hot rolling mills and new leaching baths for stainless steel sheets to its Slovenian facilities. These were soon joined by a high quality line for the final annealing of finished electrical steel sheets and a new vacuum oxidising and degassing device.

In 2007, Acroni took its investment programme a step further. Mr Kanalec said, “We instigated a €22.5m investment with a clear focus on reducing our environmental impact. Ever since, we have remained committed to operating in an environmentally responsible way throughout the organisation, which appeals to us as a company and also to our customers and their own corporate social responsibility goals. So for example we now have our own waste water treatment facili-

ties and we have replaced all the obsolete roller furnaces, making all our equipment the most efficient possible.”

Green dream

The environmental performance of Acroni’s entire production and facilities is of the utmost importance to the company. It has a ‘clear vision’ that its operation must be run efficiently and smartly, so that its environmental impact is minor yet its commercial achievements impressive. Mr Kanalec concluded, “Even though we have invested a great deal of money in making Acroni as environmentally responsible as possible, we are still continually looking at ways in which we can enhance our commitment. Our research and development department is keen to ensure that we have the most forwardthinking steel-making business in the region, both in terms of products and services and environmental performance. We intend to have the most modern steel-making facilities through ongoing eco-rehabilitation and our ambitious development plans.” n