Metso take big step towards net zero

Company’s Sorocaba foundry and rubber factory in Brazil receives carbon-neutral certification

IN July, Metso’s Sorocaba foundry and rubber factory, in Brazil, received carbon-neutral certification in line with PAS 2060:2014 standard from an independent third-party, BSI. The supply chain operations are pivotal to Metso’s overall CO₂ footprint, with the Sorocaba foundry and rubber factories accounting for around 20% of CO₂ emissions from Metso’s own operations.

‘Metso aim to achieve net zero by 2030 in their own operations, and the certification now obtained is a step towards the set goal,’ said Heikki Metsälä, president of Metso’s Consumables business area. ‘Carbon neutrality is more difficult to achieve in highly energy-intensive foundry operations and our customers increasingly seek evidence of our emissions reductions to help them meet their own ambitious climate objectives. The Carbon Neutral verification aids our customers in reducing their supply chain emissions. We want to be a sustainable partner for our customers and the certificate is a great example of making tangible actions.’ 

The most significant initiative towards acquiring the certificate was implemented during the first quarter of 2023 when the Sorocaba foundry and rubber factory partnered with a local supplier for biomethane-sourced Gas Renewable Energy Certificates (GAS-RECs) enabling the units to zero their remaining CO₂ emissions from 2023. In addition, other environmental initiatives following plans towards net zero were implemented.

Metso say the improvement actions in Sorocaba, one of the company’s biggest production hubs, will continue on many fronts, including investment to replace the existing gas boiler with an electric one in their rubber factory, and a joint effort between screening, manufacturing, foundry, and rubber factory to increase Metso’s own renewable energy production.

‘This certification is the latest of our efforts to support our customers in their sustainable mining ambitions in South America. This year we have also opened a new logistics and distribution centre as well as introduced a unique circularity solution for mill liner recycling in Chile,’ said Marcelo Motti, Metso’s vice-president of sales and service in Brazil.

Metso’s Sorocaba manufacturing operations include the foundry and a rubber factory, which are now certified, as well screening equipment manufacturing, pumps manufacturing, and a service hub. Today, Metso have approximately 1,700 employees working in production, sales, and field service in Brazil.