en.Wedoany.com Reported - ArcelorMittal's Pecém plant, located in the state of Ceará, Brazil, has received ResponsibleSteel certification, assessed by an independent auditing body, confirming that the plant operates in compliance with strict environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. This certification complements those already obtained or renewed by the company's other steel production plants in Brazil that hold this international label, affirming that its steel production meets international responsible production standards, with a focus on reducing environmental impact, respecting human and labor rights, operational safety, and management transparency.
Operational highlights of the Pecém plant include a closed-loop water recycling rate of 98% and 100% complete recovery of all waste and by-products. The plant also carries out initiatives aimed at inclusivity and relationships with surrounding communities, all of which align with the certification assessment criteria.
Jorge Oliveira, President of ArcelorMittal Brazil and CEO of ArcelorMittal Flat Carbon Latin America, emphasized that extending ResponsibleSteel certification to the Pecém plant while maintaining certifications at other plants in Brazil reinforces the company's commitment to producing safer, more efficient, and more sustainable steel, and demonstrates the synergy between sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence in building the future of the steel industry.
Sustainability is one of the core values of the ArcelorMittal Group, managed primarily based on 10 sustainability guidelines developed from the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda, covering areas such as ethical and transparent governance, environmental protection, and creating a positive impact for all company stakeholders. The company maintains high standards of environmental management, with initiatives including self-generated electricity, water recycling, by-product utilization, and recyclability. This year, the company completed an investment of 5.8 billion Brazilian reais in three renewable energy projects that are now operational. In the social responsibility domain, the ArcelorMittal Foundation (Fundação ArcelorMittal), established 38 years ago, has provided opportunities to over 11 million people in areas such as education, culture, sports, and the circular economy, while the company also supports social projects through direct investments. In corporate governance, the company follows best management practices in Brazil, prioritizing ethics, transparency, and the quality of stakeholder relationships, with robust governance and a sound integrity program guiding internal and external decisions and practices.
ResponsibleSteel is the world's first standard specifically dedicated to recognizing ESG leadership practices in the steel industry. To obtain and maintain certification, industrial plants must meet 13 environmental, social, and governance principles, a process conducted by DNV Brazil (DNV Brasil) following an independent audit, lasting approximately one year. In 2025, the Monlevade (MG) and Vega (SC) plants were recertified, while the Juiz de Fora (MG), Sabará (MG), Piracicaba (SP), São Paulo (SP), Barra Mansa (RJ), and Resende (RJ) plants passed certificate maintenance, and the Tubarão plant (ES) is undergoing its maintenance process this year.
