Swissmetal is committed to limiting the environmental impact of its production activities, conserving rare resources and encouraging the recycling of copper alloys.

Compliance with the legal norms, ongoing improvements, the rational use of resources and the minimization of environmental risks and impacts: these are the cornerstones of the company's environmental policy.

In 2003, the production sites at Dornach and Reconvilier received ISO 14001 certification for their environmental management systems. Each area is subject to continuous monitoring and improvements, of which the most notable are:

Water

Water consumption and the discharge of waste water are regularly monitored and controlled. Each site has its own treatment facility. Swissmetal works in collaboration with all of the competent authorities.

Energy

Heating for some of the buildings owned by Swissmetal is provided by wood-fired units, which are operated by contractors. Natural gas has partly replaced electricity in the preheating of billets prior to extrusion. In the interests of efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions, the new press will be equipped with natural gas-fired furnaces for billet preheating.

Consumption of each type of energy used is monitored and controlled on a monthly basis.

CO2

In Switzerland, Swissmetal is affiliated to the Business Energy Agency (AEnEC), in whose programme to reduce CO2 emissions it takes part. It has passed its CO2 audit.

Air

Swissmetal stays within the legal limits for fine particle emissions, as well as those for noxious and greenhouse gases.

Waste

Swissmetal has introduced an industrial waste management concept at each of its sites. Systematic checks are conducted by the authorities. All waste is treated at authorized facilities.

Dangerous substances

Swissmetal routinely uses hazardous products and chemicals in its operations. All such products are listed in the appropriate register and employees are given proper training. Alternative products are used in place of dangerous/hazardous substances, wherever possible.

Noise

In the recent past, Swissmetal has made considerable investments to reduce noise emissions from sources identified by an official survey. New projects to reduce noise emissions are being looked into.