Social and Environmental Innovations in Brazilian Siderurgy

Abstract

The economic activity of the industry generates benefits, such as economic growth, and harm, such as waste discarded in the environment. The possibility of mitigating the harms of industrial activity, through sustainable innovations, is positioned as a topic of interest to society. In this context, this research analyzes the scope of socioenvironmental innovations that the Brazilian steel industry implements to mitigate the generation of solid waste. This research was based on a case study at Usiminas, one of the largest steelmakers in South America, using document analysis techniques and interviews with company representatives. The data indicate that through the performance of a multidisciplinary group the company developed four products that use the slag from the oxygen steelmaking as input. Although the product is patented, and its value is negotiated, the business model adopted was designed to contribute to the county. As a counterpart, the municipal beneficiary develops projects to protect water sources. In this way, technological innovations can transform the residue of the industry’s processes into products that benefit the environment and society.

Keywords

• sustentabilidade
• descontaminação do rio doce
• acidente ambiental de mariana
• educação ambiental
• inovação social e ambiental.