In METAL TRADE COMAX, a.s. (hereinafter referred to as MTC) we understand sustainability as the ability to satisfy the basic needs of today without compromising current and future generations. To conserve resources in the four interconnected areas of human capital, social, economic and environmental, known as the four pillars of sustainability, we use innovative programs and new solutions for sustainable development while shaping our responsible business and increasing our economic success.
We have included several steps in our strategy that will lead to development in all areas of sustainability, as we are aware of our responsibility for the possible impact of our activities on these areas and especially on the environment.
The present at METAL TRADE COMAX, a.s.
MTC’s current environmental protection policy is based on the long-term application of legal obligations. We work in accordance with the Integrated Prevention Act No. 76/2002 Coll. within the legislative framework of European Union laws and regulations on industrial emissions Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (IED). Environmental protection is an integral part of our company policy – we have been certified according to ISO 14001 Environment management since 2005.
Regarding our products from the coil coating line, we have prepared an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) study according to the rules of the international EPD system for the product category EPD-PCR – Construction products. The output of this study is the development of an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) for painted metal sheets in accordance with ISO 14025:2006 and EN 15804:2015+A2:2019 standards. The LCA and EPD studies based on 2021 data are compiled according to the Cradle to Gate system, including the end-of-life phase and the potential for reuse and recycling.
We are also working on the LCA study for metallurgical products based on the draft rules of the international EPD system for the EPD-PCR product category – Basic aluminium products and special alloys. After the final approval of the rules of the international EPD system, an EPD statement for non-ferrous metal alloys will be issued.
The studies were prepared on the basis of data collection for the year 2021. Henceforth, the development of all results of the study, especially the carbon footprint of our products, will be monitored. These will be the data for evaluating the impact of our products on the environment when introducing new technologies or optimizing resources.
Our company’s production operations have a relatively significant impact on the environment, which is why we already use technologies in our production lines that save the environment and are in line with the circular economy.
Coal coating line– where, during the application of the coating system to the metal substrate, exhaust fumes are eliminated in a recuperative way by burning off the vapours of solvents, thereby preventing the release of hydrocarbons into the air. The obtained energy is used again in the production process in furnaces, for heating the rinsing water and for heating the production premises.
As part of our operation, we also recycle 100% of solvents. The contaminated diluent is regenerated by vacuum distillation and the clean diluent is returned to production.
Metallurgical line – ,where approx. 96% of the input materials are recycled materials and scrap metal, helps to save the environment.
Some types of input materials such as chips and sawdust from machining are contaminated with emulsions, which must be centrifuged. For the further processing of these emulsions, sedimentation tanks were purchased to separate the oil, which can then be recycled or used as a heating medium during disposal.
We deal with aluminium recycling, and through targeted education, we also involve the public in the collection of separated aluminium waste, which is subsequently used in our metallurgical production. More than 100 schools participated in this recycling project, collecting more than 4,600 kg of aluminium.
Steps to the future
Environment area
MTC aims to take steps towards sustainability, circular economy and carbon neutrality. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by 60% by 2035 compared to 2021 levels and becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
We plan to achieve these goals with the following steps:
The transition to clean energy, by analysing the options for purchasing green energy; especially for electricity, we will focus on increasing the amount of electricity with low and zero carbon emissions.
Another room for improvement is offered by investments in new technologies in upcoming projects. When investing in a new painting line, we are considering replacing the gas components of the production equipment with electric ones.
We want to implement the use of renewable resources by installing photovoltaic panels. In the course of 2023, we plan to install panels with a total output of 3.52 MWh, of which 1.91 MWh at the company premises in Velvary, 0.81 MWh at the SC Kolín location and 0.8 MWh at PC Litovel. Electricity from these renewable sources could cover up to 20 % of annual electricity consumption.
We see another possibility of savings in recuperation, i.e. recovery of energy. By using waste heat from induction furnaces in metallurgical operations, it is possible to obtain up to 200 kW of heat suitable for heating social and administrative buildings.
We want to optimize input raw materials through more intensive cooperation in the supply chain with manufacturers moving towards carbon neutrality and responsible within the framework of the circular economy.
A significant improvement of the carbon footprint of our painted metal products, and thus their impact on the environment, will be brought by expanding cooperation with suppliers that adhere to the Green Deal principles and by purchasing green steel. We are already cooperating with a leading steel producer, from whom we purchased the first 1,500 tons of „green steel“.
In the case of non-ferrous metal alloys, we also have room to reduce the carbon footprint – by purchasing some alloying elements from recycled sources the composition of input materials in the metallurgical operation can be optimized.
We aim to contribute to the circular economy at all stages of our production by processing recycled material, reducing and recycling our waste and producing recyclable products.
We are aware of the significant amount of recycled waste that comes from packaging materials. That’s why we are launching a more effective system for recording and managing packaging materials, which will help us better separate packaging waste and then recycle it more efficiently.
Areas of human capital, social area, economic area
At MTC, we strive to create attractive jobs in a safe and healthy working environment. We provide access to personal and professional development for all employees and encourage open communication.
It is important to take care of employees and their safety. We regularly train and educate them in the field of health and safety at work and try to positively motivate them to comply with its rules.
With thematic training focused on specific needs, we try to enhance the level of employee qualification.
Good relationships create a better work environment. That’s why we organize corporate events and team building several times a year to strengthen our relationships.
We would like to create a suitable environment for employees not only in the work process, but also outside of it, which is why we are working on a project to build apartment buildings preferentially for employees.
Here, too, we are thinking about the environment – the new apartment buildings will have an energy certificate, they will be heated by heat pumps (water-water with boreholes) and solar panels with an output of approx. 3x 60 kWp.
To improve the social environment in connection with the environment, we plan to plant 150 trees behind the newly built hall for the preparation of input materials for the metallurgical production line.
And in the vicinity of the COMAX ROOFS premises, we plan to create a „rest zone“ with a garden with possible future use of the premises for breeding domestic animals.
For METAL TRADE COMAX, a.s. both long-term good relations with business partners in the supply-customer chain and relations with public authorities, as well as employee satisfaction, are important. We believe that mutual synergies and cooperation can support our efforts in all areas of sustainable environment and that together we can all move forward faster.
