Charter Steel is proud to be recognized with a 2022 Better Project Award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Plants program for the Saukville Melt Scrap Preheat project. Every year, these awards highlight select partners for outstanding accomplishments in implementing industrial energy, water and waste projects at individual facilities.
The scrap preheat project was completed in 2019 with the goal to reduce indoor air quality for employees. In 2020 and 2021 the team optimized the system to achieve more energy savings. The results were far more successful than Charter could have anticipated. By choosing a Scrap Reheat system, Charter Steel was able to not only reduce dust inside the plant, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use—a triple win. Ultimately this project reduced dust in the facility by 73%, annual electricity consumption by 2.25 million kWh, and annual greenhouse gas emissions by 14,000 tons.
“Better Plants partners are combating the climate crisis through meaningful energy, water and waste reduction efforts. The Better Plants Better Practice and Better Project awards highlight innovation in industrial sustainability and a willingness to share good ideas,” said Carolyn Snyder, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency at the U.S. Department of Energy.
The scrap preheat project recently won the 2021 Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) Business Friend of the Environment award as well.
Charter is committed to its people, the environment and sustainable business practices. As a result, past, present and future generations will have their own sustainability stories to tell.