ACTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Committed to protecting the future of new generations


Within its culture of sustainability, the Gerdau Group has become involved in the debate on a new industrial environmental policy, an initiative promoted by the Brazilian Department of the Environment that brought together the National Industry Confederation (CNI), state industry federations, NGOs and the private sector. The industrial sector's proposal, discussed at a state level and consolidated at a national conference, involves a set of suggestions for conserving biodiversity, water, the atmosphere and energy resources.

The Gerdau Group also has members on the hydrographic basin committees in the states of Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Rio de Janeiro. Through participation on these committees, we seek to contribute to the search for increasingly effective alternatives for the conservation and improvement of water quality.


Energy
We have been able to reduce the energy required for our melt shops and rolling mills through the use of advanced systems that shred and clean scrap metal, especially involving the maximized use of the equipment known as Shredder. We have also begun to utilize hot billet charging in the rolling mills with the aim of reducing associated energy consumption.

Scrap Recycling
The Gerdau Group is one of the largest recyclers in the world. In Brazil, we re-use more than two million tons of steel scrap per year. This recycling network includes approximately 4,000 suppliers, generating a total of 40,000 jobs in Brazil alone.

Preserving forests and green areas
All Gerdau units invest in protecting their green areas. In 2003, many units developed reforestation programs and planted native species.

During this year, the main highlight was the planting of 9,000 tree and shrub seedlings in the gardens and forests surrounding Gerdau Barão de Cocais (state of Minas Gerais).

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