Koppers Inc. announced today that it has entered into new long-term coal tar supply agreements with steelmaker ArcelorMittal. Pursuant to the contracts, which have initial terms of 10 years, Koppers will purchase coal tar, a byproduct of ArcelorMittal coke plants in the United States. This contracted volume will satisfy a significant portion of the domestic raw material needs for Koppers.
ArcelorMittal USA operates three coke plants to transform coal into coke; coal tar is a viscous, carbon-rich liquid byproduct with a complex chemical make-up. It is a key raw material used by Koppers in the production of creosote, an oil-based wood preservative that is used in treating crossties for the railroad industry, and carbon-based chemicals.
Koppers President and CEO Leroy Ball said, "These multi-year contracts are the latest step in our strategy to transform Koppers into the global leader in wood-based technologies. The agreements leverage the value of our vertically integrated supply model for treated crossties by adding long-term stability of creosote supply to the North American rail industry at a fair value while reducing our exposure to historically more volatile end-markets associated with crude oil and aluminum."
At ArcelorMittal coke plants, all of the byproducts generated are sold for further industrial usage. All the coal tar is converted into beneficial products; none is landfilled or stockpiled.
"Beyond the recycling of steel itself, more than 90 percent of all of the byproducts and residues from our US operations are reused or recycled," said John Brett, chief executive officer, ArcelorMittal USA. "Sustainability is a core value to ArcelorMittal and guided by 10 sustainable development outcomes including the efficient use of resources and high recycling rates. We are pleased to partner with Koppers to repurpose the byproducts of steelmaking and promote environmental sustainability."