Situation

The plant is located in the heart of Buenos Aires Province, 360 km southeast of the national capital, Buenos Aires and 170 km inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Various foundry work activities are present on the site. The largest production capacity is for production of cast iron parts. The plant is located in a zone classified as "mixed residential", surrounded by houses.

First ISO 14001 certification earned in 2002. 

The plant renewed its certification in April 2006, according to the ISO 14001 2004 version. The site also renewed its ISO 9000 TS16949 certification in May 2005. Initial certification was earned in 2002.  

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Water consumption

Water consumption fell by 10% in 2007.

Since October 2006, the plant has recycled liquid effluents from cooling water used in the coring machines.

In 2007, recycling was extended to other cooling circuits. These actions significantly reduced consumption of process water, despite an increase in production. Consumption of drinking water rose with the increase in the workforce and the higher number of days worked.

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SO2 and greenhouse gas emissions

graphic 

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Waste

The 8% rise in the volume of industrial waste generated in 2007 was due to the increase in activity at the site: production of new models of cores previously subcontracted to an outside provider was brought in-house, and a new electric furnace was installed.

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Energy

In 2007, the following actions were undertaken to bring the site’s energy consumption under control:

• Optimizing the energy efficiency of equipment by installing new electric furnaces,

• Replacing a gas burner, which improved the air-gas mix and reduced losses,

• Reducing annealing of parts by improving metallurgical techniques,

• Decreasing use of gas furnaces,

• Optimizing core production processes to reduce (gas-fired) heat treatment of industrial waste,

• Reusing parts, to reduce consumption of natural resources and energy.

Despite these actions, energy consumption rose 8% in 2007 due to the increase in activity at the site.

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Highlights

 

 Yanina Lalloz, Environment Manager:

"2007 was a year of progress for the environment! Considerable efforts were made to improve atmospheric emissions through three objectives that we achieved during the year: dry dust collection from the last two electric furnaces (last furnace installed in March 2007); wet dust collection in the casting sand preparation sector; and almost complete elimination of atmospheric emissions from the core room.

Actions on wastewater and recycling have significantly reduced water consumption in the processes. With respect to energy, gas consumption fell and the efficiency of electrical equipment was optimized with the installation of new electric furnaces. Also in 2007, an 80m2 secure depot was built to store hazardous industrial waste.

And what a successful day on June 5! For the first year, we celebrated World Environment Day. Employees’ children entered a drawing competition on the environment, and green areas on the site were beautified, especially with the planting of 160 trees."