EuroChem completes one year of “Zero Landfill” at Serra do Salitre
EuroChem has reached a significant milestone: one year of “Zero Landfill” at the Serra do Salitre Mining and Industrial Complex. To achieve this result, the Complex adopted multiple treatment routes such as recycling, composting, sterilizations in an autoclave etc.
The use of more sustainable technologies, as opposed to those sent to landfills, resulted in the redirection of 1,470,000 kg of waste. This action reaffirms the commitment to the circular economy and the reduction of environmental impacts.
We surpassed our own objectives by demonstrating that responsible waste management can simultaneously generate environmental and economic benefits. Every tonne that is not sent to the landfill represents another link in the chain of sustainable practices.Juliano FerreiraEnvironment Manager at EuroChem Brazil
Since the Salitre Chemical Plant’s launch in 2024, a new operational strategy for solid waste management has been essential. This strategy involves adapting processes to the increased complexity and volume of waste generated. Although law does not prohibit disposal in landfills, EuroChem is seeking cleaner, economically viable alternatives with greater socio-environmental value.
The foundation of Salitre’s waste management strategy is robust partnerships, and the team has been diligently working to ensure suppliers are in alignment with the Company’s social and environmental commitments.
These actions are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 12, which aims to substantially reduce waste generation by 2030.
A benchmark in the mineral sector
EuroChem’s plant in Serra do Salitre is a prime example of a circular economy in the mineral sector, as evidenced by its inclusion in the Blue Book of IBRAM (Brazilian Mining Institute). The recirculation system of this facility is capable of reusing 35 billion liters of water per year. This is equivalent to the annual water consumption of a city like Uberlândia in the same state of Minas Gerais, which is home to over 700,000 people. The unit operates in a closed cycle, meaning that no additional water is withdrawn from the environment. The energy used in production is partly generated on site: 40% of demand is met by heat recovered from the chemical process of manufacturing sulfuric acid, ensuring energy efficiency and a reduced environmental impact.