Recognized for efforts to transition to a low-carbon system, including the introduction of electric arc furnaces and the operation of a sustainability management council

POSCO was selected as the Sustainability Champion for the third consecutive year at the semi-annual member meeting of the World Steel Association, which was held in London, UK, on April 9 (local time).

▲Logo of the World Steel Association Sustainability Champion.

The World Steel Association has been awarding the title of Sustainability Champion since 2018 to member companies leading the steel industry in carbon neutrality and ESG initiatives. This year, 11 companies achieved this distinction, with POSCO earning the honor three times in a row since its first award in 2022.

To be named a Sustainability Champion, companies must fulfill four critical criteria: signatory to the Sustainable Development Charter, finalist in the Steelie Awards or the Safety & Health Recognition, publication of a sustainability report, and submission of sustainability data including Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) emissions data for materials and processes. Companies that meet these requirements are recognized as exemplary leaders in global ESG management.

In addition to meeting all four conditions, POSCO was recognized for its low-carbon transition efforts, including the introduction of electric arc furnaces and investments in Hydrogen Reduction Ironmaking Technology (HyREX), as well as new initiatives such as the establishment of a group safety council and a supply chain management council. These achievements have solidified POSCO’s status as a Sustainability Champion for the third consecutive year.

Furthermore, POSCO has been ranked as the most competitive steelmaker in the world by World Steel Dynamics for 14 consecutive years and continues to spearhead the global steel industry’s transition to carbon neutrality with innovations like its proprietary HyREX technology and the application of low-carbon bridge technologies.

▲ Jeong-Woo Choi, Chairman of the World Steel Association, is making an address at the member company’s meeting of the World Steel Association which was held in Vienna, Austria on April 18 (local time).

▲ Jeong-Woo, Choi, Chairman of the World Steel Association is presiding over the member company’s meeting of the World Steel Association which was held in Vienna, Austria on April 18 (local time).

▲ Jeong-Woo, Choi, Chairman of the World Steel Association is presiding over the member company’s meeting of the World Steel Association which was held in Vienna, Austria on April 18 (local time).

Each year the annual event highlights one of the five main causes of accidents in the steel industry to create a safer working environment. This year, special attention will be given to falling objects and ways to prevent associated risks as below:  

• Cranes: Never allow people to be below a suspended load at any time and all personnel should be one meter away from the load for every meter the load is above the floor.
• Hoisting and Rigging: All lifting equipment must be correctly selected to suit the size and nature of the load.
• Integrity of Overhead Structures: Inspect and maintain overhead structures regularly for impact, corrosion, and fatigue.
• Maintenance and Working at Height: Access to areas below overhead work must be always be restricted.
• Storage and Loading: Material and equipment must be stored properly to prevent it from falling.

Working hand in hand with the World Steel Association and in line with the international safety standards, POSCO continues its effort to create an “injury-free, illness-free & healthy workplace with zero incidents,” such as POSCO’s Self-directed Safety Spread (SSS) program.

Take a look at the video and infographic below. They were both created by the World Steel Association to illustrate the main causes of serious incidents across the entire steel industry and the ways to prevent them.

You can also download PDFs of all of the safety and health infographics here.