February 8, 2005

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that Spartan Steel Coating in Monroe has been designated as a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen, a voluntary program recognizing environmental stewardship.

Spartan Steel Coating becomes the 108th facility statewide to earn the designation. The Monroe facility produces nearly 450,000 tons per year of coated steel products for automotive and industrial applications. Formed in 1996, Spartan Steel Coating is a joint venture operation owned by Severstal, NA and Worthington Steel.

“I congratulate the entire team at Spartan Steel Coatings for their commitment to protecting and improving our environment,” Director Steven E. Chester said. “We consider the facility’s staff and management to be valuable partners in our efforts to protect Michigan’s environment in a sustainable manner.”

Spartan Steel Coating has set and achieved environmental goals that include reducing facility scrap down to 3 percent, making structural improvements to a storm water pond to protect surface waters, reducing chemical and oil drum inventory throughout the plant, and converting to recyclable absorbents. In addition, pollution prevention programs have increased employee awareness of recycling alternatives, at work and at employees’ residences.

“We are extremely pleased to be recognized as one of Michigan’s Clean Corporate Citizens,” said Dave Brandau, Operations Manager at Spartan Steel Coating. “This program, along with our ISO 14000 efforts, supports our longstanding company philosophy toward practicing good citizenship.”

To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environmental management system, active pollution prevention initiatives, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements. The program is open to establishments regulated under any of Michigan’s environmental statutes. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

The facility has earned International Standards Organization 14001 certification, meeting the voluntary international standard for environmental management systems. Spartan Steel Coating has also joined our voluntary Business Pollution Prevention Partnership and sets yearly goals for continual environmental improvement.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised February 8, 2005 by Alice Stimpson