Dalkia to contribute towards a better environment in the Outokumpu String Casting Plant in Avesta

Dalkia that was awarded the project to improve the indoor environment at the Outokumpu String Casting Plant in Avesta. The project will last for four months and is a good example of how Dalkia's expertise in the field of energy services benefits Outokumpu's employees, who will have a better working environment. Without any increase in energy consumption.

"Dalkia was awarded the project because we know from experience that they can guarantee a solution at the right price, and with high quality. Dalkia is responsible for ensuring that we receive what we ordered, through a so-called functional guarantee. An improved indoor environment in the String Casting Plant is important to us, and we're very pleased with the agreement," says Peter Engvall, Project Manager at Outokumpu.

"We are very happy that Outokumpu have once more shown their faith in us and that we are extending our partnership with them," says Bo Ögren, Site Manager Automation at Dalkia in Avesta.

"Over four months we'll be working hard to dismantle existing supply air units and to install new units so that they can become operational in mid-April. The work consists of installing pipes with pumps and heat exchangers, supply air units with supply air ducts and electrical installation," he continues.

Outokumpu's plant in Avesta produces stainless steel, an activity that is constantly striving to limit its high energy consumption. As it is an industrial facility, authorities also make tough demands in terms of a good working environment. It was in tough competition with several other players that Dalkia won the project to improve the indoor environment without increasing power consumption. Dalkia's team will have the task of undertaking a turnkey contract for the plant's new supply air units. This means that the facilities in place today will be adapted and new equipment will be installed and put into operation.

More efficient and cheaper
In Outokumpu's case, Dalkia's work will result in a higher ambient temperature in the cutting hall in winter and lower volumes of dust in the cutting hall and surrounding rooms all year round.

"The indoor environment will be improved without our consuming more energy! This is because the extra heat will be taken from a cooling water circuit," explains Peter Engvall.

The secret is to look at energy management as one large system, where various factors such as heating, ventilation and lighting are elements that influence each other. By tackling the issue in this way, energy management becomes more efficient and cheaper for the customer.

Dalkia has been collaborating with Outokumpu since the early 90s, and relations are very good.

"It is necessary in an assignment like this, where it is all about helping Outokumpu to constantly streamline their energy consumption. Basic industries are energy-intensive, and our customers are constantly working to balance the energy side with cost control and production quality. It is an exciting and important process to be involved in."

During this project Dalkia will use two partners, EMPE Touch AB and EKS Plåt & Vent Service AB.

About Outokumpu:
Outokumpu produces stainless steel, mainly in Finland, Sweden and the UK. They have about 7 600 employees in 30 countries with annual sales of approximately SEK 60 billion a year. The largest steel mill is in Torneå, in the Finnish region of Torneådalen. In Sweden there are four major plants in Avesta, Degerfors, Långshyttan and Eskilstuna.