OREANDA-NEWS. March 5, 2010. Leading steel pipe and railway wheel maker Interpipe has been recognized as an ‘Industry leader’ for its work in environmental protection in Ukraine. The recognition comes from the Ministry of Environmental Protection in Ukraine, which praised Interpipe’s NTRP mill as part of its project on ‘Ecology, environment and nature management in Ukraine’. Interpipe’s NTRP mill has also received a ‘Diploma of Laureates’ from the Ministry.

During the period 2006-2009, Interpipe NTRP carried out eight projects in nature conservation that were part of a program of ecological improvement in the Dnepropetrovsk region. More than USD 1.7 million has been allocated to the project’s realization.

Oleg Kuzmin, Director of Corporate Affairs at Interpipe, said: “The Interpipe Company takes its responsibilities in the field of environmental protection extremely seriously and strives to reduce the impact of the company’s activities by taking part in and implementing ecological projects. Our work in this area is a key part of building a sustainable business, something very important for us.”

In 2009 Interpipe NTRP reduced its impact on the environment. The gross level of emissions (solid and gaseous) was reduced by more than 50% in comparison to 2008 and the level of manufacturing water faulting was reduced by 53%.

To further the work of the Environmental Management System at Interpipe NTRP mill, a set of nature conservation measures have been planned. For example, one project entitled: “The prevention of manufacturing waste water into the Dnepr river”, looks at the stage-by-stage usage of water from the open-hearth furnace at Interpipe Steel, which is under construction.