Elval's commitment to implementing ESG practices and actions and adopting a responsible production model is long and strong. The development of a holistic sustainable development program for the aluminum rolling sector (Elval) of ElvalHalcor and its double certification by the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI), which today constitutes the world's most stringent package of sustainable development standards, documents in a practical way its dedication and commitment of the Company in this direction.
The Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is the latest development in the aluminum value cycle. It was established as a standardization and certification organization in issues related to responsible aluminum production, with the aim of involving companies with high performance, among other things, in issues of sustainability, so that these companies eventually create responsible supply chains. Through the two standards it issues, it sets the specifications and provides the coherent framework where producers, users and participants in the value cycle of the material, are committed to its responsible production, supply and management. The ASI Performance Standard examines the full range of ESG issues applicable to the industry. By combining all available practices, it includes a set of 59 sustainability criteria for each aspect of an organization's ESG performance.
Elval'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 the corporate governance model it applies.
It covers all its activities and more specifically:
- in matters of Environmental Protection (E), setting as a requirement tangible, measurable and implementable 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 and the protection of biodiversity.
- in matters of Social Responsibility, (S), examining the Company's practices, but also evaluating its supply chain in the protection of Human Rights, the avoidance of discrimination, the defense of women's rights and labor rights and the promotion of safety and health , employees, visitors and shareholders of the company.
- in Corporate Governance (G) matters, focusing on good governance with a practical commitment to anti-corruption, legislative compliance in every aspect of its activity, taking care of reporting and investigating complaints, formulating and implementing ESG policies , programs to reduce the environmental footprint of its products and the development of environmentally friendly products and solutions, the implementation of a recycling strategy and actions for the collection of aluminum products at the end of their life cycle.
The design of the System and the procedures for compliance with the requirements of the ASI Performance Standard was carried out with the active participation of all Elval departments/Managements and the implementation of these procedures is done daily through the expanded participation of employees (e.g. implementation of corporate policies, submission of improvement proposals on ESG issues, etc.).
The evaluation of the effectiveness of the system is done by an independent Certification Body, through an open process involving internal and external stakeholders (employees, representatives of the local community, customers, suppliers and others). These participants are invited to evaluate, without the involvement of the Company, its performance in matters related to the Environment, Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance (ESG).
In this way, the certification of Elval (ElvalHalcor's aluminum rolling sector) receives an expanded evaluation, both in terms of its practices and in terms of its impact on its stakeholders.
The ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) strategy based on the ASI Performance Standard is a dynamic model that is constantly evolving. At its heart is the requirement for continuous improvement, goal setting and taking actions to achieve these goals. The continuous monitoring of performance, by internal and external stakeholders and the periodic inspection by an independent body, confirms the Company's commitment in this direction.
The adoption of the principles of sustainable development through the implementation of the most demanding sustainability standards that control the entire supply chain and value chain of aluminum, is expected to be the dominant trend in the global market with the aim of documenting responsible production of products and materials to shape the way they are produced, traded, recycled and reused, based on the principles of the circular economy.
The opportunity is thus presented even for the consumer to be able to choose a certified product in all its production stages and until it is available to him.