2020 in Brief Annual and Sustainability Report Our Journey Towards a Carbon-Free Future
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2020 IN BRIEF ANNUAL AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS A CARBON-FREE FUTURE -84% -14% 2027 Carbon emissions Steel produced with LKAB’s Industrial park for reduced by 84 percent pellets contributes to 14 percent extracting critical minerals from 1960 to today’s lower carbon emissions than from mining waste pellet production the European average CO2 2020 2030 The first iron ore producer LKAB adopts new strategy First industrialised sponge to measure and report its to achieve carbon-free iron plant in production carbon footprint processes and products CONTENTS The year in brief 4 Comments by the President and CEO 6 Objectives for sustainable development 10 Strategy for the LKAB of the future 12 LKAB’s contribution to Agenda 2030 14 This is a summary of the Swedish version of LKAB’s Annual and Sustainability Report, which is available at lkab.com. The complete English version will be published on 22 April 2021. OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS A CARBON-FREE FUTURE The world is facing a challenge caused 2035 by emissions that have characterised New global standard development in recent decades. The iron for mining operations and steel industry accounts for one – carbon-free, digitalised quarter of total industrial carbon dioxide and autonomous emissions worldwide. At the same time, 2045+ demand for steel is expected to increase LKAB’s processes and by almost 50 percent by 2050. products carbon-free We provide the world with tomorrow’s resources and are setting a new world standard for the iron and steel industry of the future. Through consideration for the environment, the highest business ethics, digitalisation and innovation power, LKAB will assume a leading role in the transformation of our own industry, and over time, create conditions for a sustainable future. We contribute to vibrant communities with growth and prosperity today and for coming generations. LKAB IN BRIEF 2020 3 THE YEAR IN BRIEF 2020 IN BRIEF OVERVIEW AND KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS NON-FINANCIAL KEY RATIOS 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net sales, MSEK 33,914 31,260 Capital expenditure on property, Carbon dioxide emissions, plant and equipment, MSEK 2,763 2,373 kg per tonne of product 25.0 25.8 Operating profit, MSEK 11,654 11,788 Operating cash flow, MSEK 6,038 6,981 Energy intensity, Costs for urban transformation kWh per tonne of product 1593 158 provisions, MSEK -1,396 -1,441 Return on equity, % 20.8 24.2 Accident rate 6.3 6.8 Net financial income/expense, Net debt/equity ratio, % -3.0 -0.91 MSEK 797 1,136 Number of permanent Dividend to owner2, MSEK 5,850 6,104 employees at year-end 4,555 4,349 Profit/loss before tax, MSEK 12,452 12,924 Percentage of women among Profit/loss for the year, MSEK 9,757 10,173 permanent employees, % 24.7 23.8 1 Calculation of the net debt/equity ratio was changed in 2020. Note 42 in the Annual and Sustainability Report for 2020. 2 The dividend proposed by the Board of Directors will be put to the Annual General Meeting for approval on 22 April 2021. 3 Energy intensity for 2020 has been updated since the Year-End Report for 2020. NET SALES AND OPERATING PROFIT MSEK MSEK 35,000 30,000 25,000 33,914 20,000 Net sales (+8%) 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 -5,000 Net sales Net sales 2020 -10,000 MSEK 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Operating profit/loss 11,654 Operating profit (-1%) KEY EVENTS IN 2020 • New long-term strategy to achieve • The world’s first pilot facility for production carbon-free processes and products by of fossil-free sponge iron was commis- 2045 presented, including transitioning sioned as part of the HYBRIT initiative. to become a producer of carbon-free • LKAB expanded its ambition where sponge iron in the future. technology for extracting mining waste 28.5 Mt • The coronavirus pandemic called for is being developed to include the produc- Delivered iron ore flexibility in the operations, which were tion of inputs, such as hydrogen, and products (+14%) mainly affected by a slowdown in the electrified processes, which could European steel industry and the need eliminate carbon emissions from the to extend maintenance shutdowns. process almost entirely. • A seismic event on 18 May caused • LKAB actively supported local businesses extensive damage in the Kiruna mine. in Kiruna and Gällivare in connection with Nobody was injured, but production Covid-19 and LKAB Fastigheter halved of crushed ore from the mine was rents for commercial tenants. 27.1 Mt affected during the rest of the year. • New Group structure with two business Produced iron ore • Kiruna Municipality passed the required areas from the beginning of 2020: Iron products (-1%) amendment of the zoning plan for area Ore and Special Products. 2:4 in Mine City Park 2 after LKAB had requested that the government intervene. 4 THE YEAR IN BRIEF IRON ORE BUSINESS AREA 92% The Iron Ore business area mines and upgrades iron ore to produce climate-efficient products that Share of are transported to customers in the steel industry. The business area includes mines and processing net sales plants in Kiruna, Svappavaara and Malmberget, as well as rail freight services and ports in Narvik and Luleå. SALES BY REGION SALES BY PRODUCT AREA Percentage of sales (MSEK) Percentage of sales of iron ore products (MSEK) % % Europe ................................ 55 Pellets ................................ 87 Middle East Fines ................................... 11 and North Africa.............. 23 Other ......................................2 Rest of World (including Turkey) ........... 22 SPECIAL PRODUCTS BUSINESS AREA 8% The Special Products business area develops products and services for markets involving industrial Share of minerals, water-powered drilling technology, engineering services and mining and construction contracts. net sales The business area is also a strategic supplier within the Group. SALES BY REGION SALES BY PRODUCT AREA AND SERVICE AREA Percentage of sales (MSEK) Percentage of sales (MSEK) % % Europe .........................................66 Magnetite ...................................29 Rest of World.............................34 Mineral sands ...........................19 Mining and construction services ...............9 Other industrial minerals ......43 LKAB IN BRIEF 2020 5 COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT AND CEO A CLEAR WAY FORWARD 2020 was a strong year for LKAB. Despite the challenges that the year brought, we achieved both high volumes and strong earnings. We have also established the direction we will take to secure the operations beyond 2060, something which also means we are taking on a leading role in the transformation of our industry. Global challenges on the agenda One major focus during the corona pandemic The transformation Around the world the year has been has been to minimise the spread of the marked by Covid-19 and the challenges virus locally. This made demands of our will allow us to bear that the pandemic has brought at all levels employees and our organisation, and I am of society. LKAB was no exception, even humbly impressed by how this has been the investments though the overall effect was considerably managed. Measures included extending less for us than for many others. maintenance shutdowns to minimise the required to mine iron Steelmakers in our primary market of number of people in the workplaces, which ore competitively Europe were impacted by restrictions affected production volumes somewhat. on production as parts of society were deeper in our mines locked down, resulting in a general slowing Climate transition creates opportunities of demand. At the same time, steel The iron and steel industry accounts for and to create a future production in China continued to increase seven percent of global carbon emissions. and thus also demand for iron ore. Thanks LKAB’s total carbon emissions are for our operations to intensive work from the sales organisa- currently around 700,000 tonnes, which beyond 2060. tion, LKAB was able to redirect the volumes represents four percent of all emissions from our traditional markets to a market from Swedish industry and makes us the in growth. fourth largest source of emissions in Sweden. 6 LKAB IN BRIEF 2020 COMMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT AND CEO We can make a significant difference by despite the fact that volumes were affected transforming our operations. Our strategy by measures to minimise virus spread. for the future sets out the path towards Production of crushed ore was also affected zero carbon emissions from our own by a substantial seismic event in the Kiruna processes and products by 2045. Among mine in May. Nobody was injured and some other things, this is dependent on develop- production was able to resume relatively SEK 6.0 bn ing a new world standard for mining quickly. However, extensive repair work came Operating cash flow in 2020 operations of the future. Through digitalisa- to be required and production was affected tion, automation, electrification and new for the rest of the year. At the end of the ways of working we will secure efficient, year the mine was operating at around 80 profitable and carbon-free mine production. percent of capacity. By redirecting crushed For future processing we are planning ore from our open-pit mine Leveäniemi, SEK 11.7 bn a gradual transition from iron ore pellets however, the processing plants were able Operating profit in 2020 to carbon-free sponge iron produced using to continue running at full capacity. new hydrogen-based technology. This will Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the increase the value of our products and at average global spot price for iron ore rose the same time give our customers direct to USD 109/tonne, an increase of 17 percent access to carbon-free iron for steelmaking. compared with the previous year. At the end Finally, we are broadening LKAB’s business of the year the spot price was USD 159/ and increasing our contribution to a circular tonne.