CMC 2023 Sustainability Report
  1. Environmental
  2. Environmental Stewardship
  3. Air Quality, Waste, Water & Land Use
air quality intro

Air Quality

  • 3-3 Management of material topics

We recognize the potential impacts our operations have on the environment, including air quality. Our strategic positioning in scrap-based EAF steelmaking technology means our operations produce fewer air emissions than the industry sector. CMC strictly follows all air regulations and annually tracks emissions from nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, lead, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. While our EAF mills are closely regulated under federal Clean Air Act permitting requirements, we are motivated to continue reducing our air emissions to minimize our impact. We are confident that the best opportunity to do this lies in our relentless pursuit of energy and raw material efficiency and we continually look for new and innovative technologies to reduce our emissions. We believe that low emissions and efficient operations go hand in hand and have found that as we improve our operational and energy efficiency, emissions decrease as well.

  • 3-3 Management of material topics
Environmental Footprint (Air Quality) Unit 2023 2022 2021
Nitrogen oxides (NOX) MT 857 865 789
Sulfur oxides (SOOX) MT 488 593 602
Carbon dioxide (CO2) MT 1,008,944 1,078,876 1,065,377
Methane (CH4) MT 127 138 138
Nitrous oxide (N2O) MT 0.8 0.80 0.87
Carbon monoxide (CO) MT 4,203 4,298 4,084
Lead (Pb) kg 1,184 1,237 2,045
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) MT 209 217 228
Particulate matter (PM) MT 344 412 447
waste intro

Waste

  • 3-3 Management of material topics

Our company is subject to provisions under federal, state and local laws governing waste. As an EAF steelmaker using recycled steel as the primary raw material in our process, CMC incorporates circular economy principles into our business model to limit waste.

  • 3-3 Management of material topics
Environmental Footprint (Waste & Co-Products) Unit 2023 2022 2021
Total waste & co-products MT 1,026,133 1,136,908 1,137,902
Total hazardous waste MT 62,313 63,635 62,124
   Percent total waste % 6.1% 5.6% 5.5%
Total waste recycled % 88.6% 89.5% 83.3%
Significant spills reported # 1 0 0
water intro

Water

  • 3-3 Management of material topics

Our water use is an important metric, and we have established goals to reduce our overall water intensity. In addition to complying with applicable water laws and regulations, CMC facilities use water in a cascading recycling system to reduce water withdrawal. CMC is subject to the provisions of the Clean Water Act, which imposes restrictions and controls regarding discharges.

  • 3-3 Management of material topics
Environmental Footprint (Water) Unit 2023 2022 2021
Total water withdrawn m3 6,354,847 6,502,681 7,028,693
   Water withdrawn from public inlet m3 2,115,803 2,238,748 2,074,992
   Water withdrawn from ground water (private well) m3 2,842,069 2,872,075 3,474,309
   Water withdrawn from surface water (stream) m3 1,396,975 1,391,858 1,479,392
Total water discharge m3 2,164,199 1,696,404 1,925,927
Total water consumption m3 4,190,648 4,806,277 5,102,767
Total water withdrawn intensity m3/MT 1.18 1.13 1.24
Water that is recycled or reused
multiple times 		% 90.1% 88.4% 89.6%
Total water withdrawn in high or extremely
high baseline stress area 		m3 2,610,138 2,675,505 999,234
Water withdrawn in high or extremely
high baseline stress area 		% 41% 41% 14%
Total water consumed in high or extremely
high baseline stress area 		m3 2,104,272 2,189,788 982,568
Water consumed in high or extremely
high baseline stress area 		% 50% 46% 19%

Water Use

water splash background
water usage cycle

Goal

Decrease our water withdrawal
intensity by 8%

Water Withdrawal Intensity (m3 / MT )

In 2023, we experienced a 1.9% increase in water withdrawal intensity as compared to 2019.

Water reuse is an important part of CMC’s sustainability strategy. We re-purpose water for use in dust suppression, cooling and irrigation. Some of our facilities have achieved zero discharge. Regulatory agencies encourage water reuse, and we withdraw far less water than others in our industry.

This is one pivotal piece of the puzzle that enables us to act with environmental accountability in every aspect of our operations.

Current Progress Towards Goal

2023 2022 2021

Results

1.9%

increase
since 2019*

Based on 2019 baseline value of 1.152 m3/MT.

Water Withdrawal Intensity

96%

lower than the industry average

Water Withdrawal Intensity

(m3 / MT )

CMC Total² Industry Average¹

Results

96%

lower

1 Industry averages taken from the World Steel Association 2020 Water Management policy paper
2 CMC data is 2021 water withdrawal intensity.

land intro

Land Use

As a major recycler of scrap steel, CMC does not own or operate any mining operations, which involve a high risk of negatively affecting biodiversity. By using recycled steel in our manufacturing process, we do not contribute to the mining of virgin iron ore materials, which results in land use changes and possible impacts on biodiversity and wildlife disturbances. While we do not own or operate any forestry operations, we seek opportunities to restore and protect natural habitats.

For instance, CMC Steel Oklahoma created 4,835 linear feet of stream bed with a large, 100-foot-wide riparian zone planted with thousands of native trees and grasses. The stream has created an area where native wildlife can flourish, and the area as a whole is protected from future development.