Symetal's commitment to implementing ESG actions and adopting a responsible production model is long and strong. The development of a holistic program of Symetal’s sustainable development and its certification, by the strictest industry sustainability standard of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), documents in a practical way the company’s commitment towards this direction.
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative is the latest development in the aluminium value chain. It was established as a standards setting and certification organisation, in matters related to responsible aluminium production, with the objective of participation of companies with high performance in sustainability issues and the eventual creation of responsible supply chains by these companies. Through the publication of the two standards (ASI Performance Standard and ASI Chain of Custody Standard), it provides a coherent framework where producers, users, and stakeholders in the aluminium value chain are committed to responsible production, supply, and management.
The ASI Performance Standard, which Symetal has successfully implemented and according to which has been certified, addresses all the ESG issues that apply to the industry sector. By combining all available practices, the standard includes a total of 59 sustainability criteria, for each aspect of an organisation's ESG performance.
Symetal's ESG strategy, as adapted through the implementation of the ASI Performance Standard, provides a complete, coherent, and structured program for integrating sustainability criteria into its corporate governance model. It covers all its activities, more specifically:
- On Environmental Protection issues (E), with tangible, measurable and feasible plans for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the rational management of emissions and waste, the rational use of water and the protection of water resources, as well as biodiversity protection.
- On Social Responsibility issues (S), by considering the company's practices and by evaluating its supply chain in terms of the protection of Human Rights, non-discrimination, the protection of women and labour rights, as well as the promotion of the safety and health of company employees, visitors, and stakeholders.
- On Corporate Governance issues (G), by focusing on good governance with practical commitment to protection against corruption, legislative compliance in every aspect of its activity, carefully reporting and investigating complaints, formulation, and implementation of ESG policies, programs to reduce the environmental footprint of its products and the development of eco-friendly products and solutions, the implementation of a recycling strategy and initiatives for the the collection of aluminium products at the end of their life cycle.
The design of the System and the procedures in compliance with the requirements of the ASI Performance Standard came to fruition with the active participation of all departments/ divisions within the company and the implementation of these procedures takes place on a daily basis through the increased employee participation (e.g., implementation of corporate policies, submission of improvement proposals on ESG issues, etc.).
The evaluation of the System’s effectiveness is performed by an independent certification body through a pioneering open process, with the participation of internal and external stakeholders (employees, local community representatives, customers, suppliers, and others). These participants are requested to evaluate, without the company’s participation, its performance in matters related to Environment, Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance (ESG). That way, Symetal’s certification receives extensive evaluation, both in terms of its practices and in terms of the impact on its stakeholders.
The ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) strategy according to the ASI Performance Standard is a dynamic model that is constantly evolving. At its core finds itself the need for continuous improvement, goal setting, and action to achieve these goals. The performance monitoring by internal and external participants and the periodic inspection by an independent body strengthens the company's commitment towards this direction.
The adoption of sustainable development principles through the implementation of the most demanding sustainability model by the entire supply chain and the aluminium value chain is expected to be the dominant trend in responsible aluminium production and to shape the way the material is produced, traded, recycled and reused, based on the principles of circular economy. Activating as many companies in the industry as possible will enhance the cumulative benefit of using aluminium in tackling climate change, and Symetal's active involvement in this is a given.
