ENVIRONMENT

Training on environmental issues: Effective environmental protection arises as a result of the collective endeavours and culture of all employees. In 2013, 892 hours of training were provided, and a total of 262 employees were trained about environmental issues (66 of whom were staff of our contractors).

Audits and Compliance with Legal Requirements: HALCOR’s guiding principle is fully compliant with the relevant national and European environmental legislation. It continuously carries out environmental audits at all facilities to check compliance with the legislation and observance of the Company’s environmental procedures and measures. The results of these environmental audits are presented to HALCOR’s management team and additional measures are taken if necessary. In 2013, there were no complaints about HALCOR’s operations and no sanctions for environmental issues were imposed. Moreover, from June to August 2013 data was submitted to the State General Laboratory in compliance with the chemical products legislation and as part of the REACH-EN-FORCE 3 inspection program being run by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) concerning implementation of the REACH Regulation (Reg. (EC) No 1907/2006).

Reductions in energy use: HALCOR seeks to increase eXcient energy use and has implemented investments and taken measures to achieve this. In 2013, production processes were re-engineered to achieve electricity savings. The savings generated by these measures equated to 295,857 kWh per year. HALCOR also made certain changes to equipment or rebuilt certain pieces of equipment in 2013. For example, it replaced conventional light bulbs with LED lower wattage bulbs, resulting energy savings of 5,250 kWh/year. In 2013, it also began to implement a series of changes (by re-engineering production processes) to save more energy which will be completed in 2014. HALCOR seeks to continue its capital expenditure plan and its programme of changes to achieve greater electricity savings over the years to come.

Water use: Water usage is essential in HALCOR’s production processes. However, the Company acknowledges the importance of this natural resource and takes all the appropriate measures to efficiently use it and limit the quantities used to the absolute necessary. At the same time, where feasible it re-uses water and places particular emphasis on minimising wastewater disposal. In 2013, water usage was 103,728 m3, which reflects a significant 19% drop compared to water consumption in the previous year.

Waste management: HALCOR takes steps to manage the waste generated as a result of its production processes by acting in full compliance with the relevant legislation. At the same time, by implementing an Environmental Management System and by constantly striving to improve its environmental performance, HALCOR seeks to go beyond the requirements laid down by law, in order to ensure optimum environmental protection. A specifc waste management procedure is implemented, whose objective is to reduce the volume of waste generated. Best practices for recycling, reuse and recovery are then employed. Most of the waste generated is recycled or recovered to generate energy. As it is clear from the diagram below, only a small portion of the waste ends up in landfill sites, thereby minimising the Company’s impact on the natural environment. In 2013, the specific waste generation rate was 18.2 kg/ton of product for the recycling plant and foundry, down some 12.3% compared to the average for the 3-year period 2010 - 2012. Likewise, the specific waste generation rate for the copper tubes plant was 228 kg/ton, down 9.3% compared to the average for the 3-year period 2010-2012. HALCOR has industrial wastewater treatment systems to suitably manage wastewater from its production processes. There are three wastewater treatment plants in operation, for primary treatment (sedimentation and oil removal – physical treatment) and/or chemical treatment (by regulating the pH level). By properly operating and maintaining this infrastructure, the Company ensures that the wastewater leaving its facilities complies with the provisions governing the disposal of wastewater to natural bodies of water. In addition, each month HALCOR monitors treated waste environmental parameters (such as pH, BOD5, COD, total suspended solids, fats and oil- hydrocarbons, heavy metals, temperature, etc.) in line with the terms of its approved wastewater disposal licenses. In fact, in 2013 HALCOR prepared and implemented a new procedure and inspection schedule and measure quality assurance schedule.