- People
She leads on sustainability at Boliden – inspiring women to choose the industry
Armed with the title of Female Technical Engineer of the Year, Astrid Edvardsson has shown the way forward. In her role at Boliden, she sees every day how technical innovations can make society more sustainable. Now, she wants to highlight role models and encourage more women to dare to pursue engineering careers.
It was while studying Energy and Environmental Management at Linköping University that Astrid first discovered Boliden.
– Before that, I really didn’t know anything about the company, she says.
Towards the end of her studies, she was chosen to take part in the talent program Female Technical Engineer, where Boliden is a partner company. During networking meetups and inspiration days, engineering students and company representatives exchange perspectives and experiences. The roughly 20 participants also complete a logic test and group case work throughout the program.
Since then, Astrid has had the chance to explore several roles at different companies before choosing Boliden. Participating in the program naturally means building a broad network in the industry—something Astrid found both helpful and rewarding.
“I’ve come to have enormous respect for the operation—it’s so complex you can’t help but be amazed.”
“We are part of the solution”
For just over a year, Astrid has held the position of LCA and Sustainability Project Manager at Boliden’s Stockholm office. LCA stands for life cycle analysis, and it plays a key role in her day-to-day work, offering a long-range view of the company’s products.
– It’s really exciting to work here because we are part of the solution. Of course, the industry faces sustainability and climate challenges, but these challenges affect society as a whole. Boliden chooses to take responsibility and set goals to ensure that we can continue playing our vital role. So many things depend on metals—we need them to move development forward in a positive way.
Because Boliden is such a large group, with facilities focused on different processes, the knowledge within the company can be applied across a variety of areas.
– I’ve come to have enormous respect for the operation—it’s so complex you can’t help but be amazed. I work in the smelter field, but of course we also get valuable data and insights from the mines. In addition, we work a lot with our suppliers on projects aimed at reducing emissions and achieving more sustainable goals. There are so many different facets to sustainability, and it influences every area of the industry.
Diversity boosts sustainability – role models matter
One interesting point Astrid makes is that diversity can also be part of sustainability. A broader talent pool with a variety of perspectives clearly benefits the industry in the long term.– If you only see male engineers around you, maybe you won’t even consider this a possible career. That’s why it’s important to showcase the range of roles and highlight them, she says.
For anyone wanting to work with sustainability, there are many possible paths. It could involve everything from electrifying mines or purifying water to reducing airborne particles. But it also includes ensuring the business meets standards and drives development forward.
– A sustainability focus is everywhere, no matter what your role is in the industry, says Astrid.
