IPSCO Inc. announced that in the next year it expects to donate more than $100,000 into the education system of north Mobile County, Ala. The money is a direct result of savings generated in its Alabama Steelworks operation by substituting scrap tires for carbon in the steel manufacturing process. The funds will be distributed by the newly formed IPSCO Foundation for Education, a registered charity whose primary purpose will be to provide financial support to local schools.

The project is expected to carry on into future years at similar funding levels, although this will depend on similar cost savings being realized from the use of scrap tires in the steel manufacturing process. IPSCO Steel (Alabama) Inc. President Paul Wilson explained: “Alabama, like most states, has an abundance of stockpiled scrap tires that are a fire hazard, unsightly and a breeding group for pests such as mosquitoes, which contributes to the spread of the West Nile virus. By using scrap tires in steel production, IPSCO is able to reduce the hazard from tire piles, reduce the consumption of a raw material - carbon - and also reduce its cost of production, freeing up money for charitable giving. It is a win-win situation for all.”

Wilson shared credit for the project with the mayors of several local communities, the Mobile County professional engineering staff, the Alabama Departments of Environmental Management and Public Health, along with a number of IPSCO staff.

IPSCO also recently completed a school supply drive in north Mobile County, which resulted in $15,000 worth of supplies for area schools. The “Fill the Bus” campaign encouraged the public to get involved in fulfilling wish lists from seven area schools. Everything from rulers and crayons to notebooks and pencils was collected and distributed.

“We are also excited to announce that approximately 10% of the Foundation's funds will be used for educational projects across Mobile county, including the formation of a scholarship program for students entering the faculties of either engineering, administration or computer science,” said Wilson. He added that IPSCO is committed to being an active supporter of education in every community it operates in throughout the United States and Canada.