At IPOA, we believe that sustainability and industry go hand in hand. As Norway's largest steel contractor, we have a responsibility to reduce our environmental footprint and contribute to a greener future. That's why we focus on developing and delivering sustainable steel solutions – structures that reduce emissions, streamline resource use and stand securely for generations.
IPOA is proud to deliver Norway's first climate-neutral steel building. Through innovative use of materials, energy-efficient production methods and carefully selected subcontractors, we help our customers reduce CO₂ emissions from their projects. Climate-neutral buildings from IPOA not only make a significant environmental contribution, but also provide a competitive advantage in the market.
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions throughout the value chain
Energy-efficient production methods
Documented climate neutrality through third-party certifications
Using the right amount of steel in the right place is about more than cost control – it’s about sustainability. Our engineers and designers optimize designs to minimize material waste, reduce weight and save the environment. Less material use means lower emissions, less waste and more efficient construction processes.
Innovative design and optimization
Reduced material waste through advanced design
Cost-effectiveness combined with environmental benefits
Steel is one of the world's most recyclable materials, and IPOA takes this one step further. We prioritize suppliers who use recycled steel, and we ourselves ensure that residual materials from production are recycled efficiently. By using recycled and recyclable steel, we contribute to a circular economy with lower resource use and less environmental impact.
Prioritizing recycled raw materials
Efficient reuse of residual materials from our own production
Contribution to circular economy and sustainable material choices
In the debate around sustainable material choices, steel is often put in a bad light compared to, among other things, wood.
This is despite the fact that steel is the only material that is currently 100% recycled and with at least as good quality. From a life cycle perspective, steel is a very durable and environmentally friendly material. It has a long lifespan and is easy to maintain, dismantle and recycle.
There is a lot of work being done in the steel industry to produce steel in a more sustainable way, and we at IPOA are continuously working to become a "green" innovator that can offer increasingly climate-friendly and sustainable steel.
One of the ways we can do that is by climate compensation.
Through the Norwegian Steel Association's environmental scheme "Green Steel", it is possible for IPOA to environmentally compensate for our entire delivery. For example, when we deliver to Gumpens Skadesenter, in collaboration with local smallholders in Bolivia, trees will be planted that absorb as much CO2 equivalents as our steel delivery releases into the atmosphere.
IPOA is continuously working on certification of our products, processes and facilities. Our environmental certificates document that we meet strict requirements for sustainability, climate and environmentally friendly production. For our customers, this means security that choosing IPOA is a choice for both the environment and quality.
Certification according to recognized standards
Regular external audit and documentation
Visible and measurable environmental work
Sustainable steel solutions are structures where design, material selection and production are optimized to reduce climate footprint and resource use. This includes efficient use of materials, selection of steel with lower emissions and solutions that provide long service life and the possibility of reuse and recycling.
Steel can be a sustainable building material when used correctly. It has high strength, a long service life and can be recycled without losing its properties. In addition, steel structures can be dismantled and reused, which contributes to reduced resource consumption over the life of the building.
A climate-neutral steel building is a building where greenhouse gas emissions related to materials and production are balanced through measures such as emission reduction and climate compensation. This can include more energy-efficient production, the use of recycled materials and compensation for remaining emissions through approved schemes.
Steel structures can contribute to lower emissions through optimized design, reduced material use and efficient production. Prefabricated solutions provide less waste and more controlled production, and the choice of suppliers and transport solutions also affects the overall climate footprint.
Optimized material use means that the structure is dimensioned to use the right amount of steel where it is actually needed. This reduces material consumption, costs and emissions, while maintaining the necessary strength and safety of the structure.
Recycled steel is steel that is produced using recovered material, while recyclable steel means that the material can be remelted and reused after its life. Steel can be recycled multiple times without losing its technical properties, making it well suited to a circular economy.
Green steel is a term used to describe steel produced with lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional production. This can be achieved through the use of recycled raw materials, more energy-efficient production methods or alternative energy sources. The term is also used to describe solutions where emissions are offset through environmental measures.
Sustainability is documented through certifications, environmental declarations and reporting according to recognized standards. This can include third-party verification, documentation of emissions and traceability in material selection and production processes.
Sustainable steel solutions provide a lower climate footprint, more efficient use of resources and often better economics over time. In addition, such solutions can help meet environmental certification requirements and strengthen the project's environmental profile.
The choice of steel affects sustainability through factors such as production method, transportation, material quality and reusability. By choosing suppliers with documented environmental work and optimizing the construction, the overall environmental impact can be significantly reduced.
Other services
A new 9,000 m² production facility for Merkur Grafisk, developed by Pareto Alternative Investments, is being built in Langhus. The building will house production facilities, warehouses and offices, and will be an important addition to the graphic arts community in the region.
One of Europe's largest biocarbon production facilities is currently being built at Treklyngen Industrial Park in Ringerike. Vow Green Metals is behind the development, and the facility will produce more than 20,000 tons of biocarbon annually as a climate-friendly alternative to fossil coal in the smelting industry. This could reduce CO₂ emissions by around 100,000 tons annually.
The Norwegian Defence Construction Agency has established a new helicopter base at the Haakonsvern naval base in Bergen, which will house the Norwegian Air Force's 334 Squadron and six NH90 helicopters. The base houses several large hangars, a workshop, warehouse, offices and support functions, and provides employment for around 60 people.
One of Norway's largest switching stations is currently being built at Gromstul in Telemark – the facility that will supply Google's upcoming data center with electricity. The project, led by Nett-Tjenester on behalf of grid owner Lede, provides for 20 unique 132 kV fields with duplex busbars of 220 meters each.
