Befesa S.A.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020, 2021, 2021-01 to 2021-06, 2022, 2023, 2023-01 to 2023-03)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Health and Safety
- Corporate Behaviour
- Circular Economy
Environmental Achievements
- Recycled volumes increased by 3.2% to 686,981 tonnes of steel dust (2019: 665,824 tonnes).
- Produced 8.8% more new materials in 2020 compared to 2019 (1.2 million tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes).
- Reduced direct CO2 emissions by 3%.
Social Achievements
- Reduced Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR) by 37% compared to 2019 (from 2.0 to 1.26).
- Updated and improved equality, diversity and inclusion policy; included diversity in internal training.
- Implemented a wide-ranging online diversity training for all HR employees.
Governance Achievements
- Implemented a criminal compliance program (Criminal Risks Management System).
- Befesa Medio Ambiente S.L.U. achieved UNE 19601 certification for criminal compliance.
- Became part of the Global Challenges Index (GCX) in September 2020.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Increase hazardous waste recycling volume to more than 2 million tonnes by 2025.
- Increase valuable materials recovered to more than 1.5 million tonnes by 2025.
- Complete certification of all plants to ISO 50001 by 2023.
- Reduce LTIR by at least 50% by 2024 compared to 2019.
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic impacted operations and training.
- Decrease in the share of renewable energy in electricity consumption (from 19% to 13%) due to changes in the Scandinavian electricity pool.
Mitigation Strategies
- Adopted measures to avoid COVID-19 infections and maintain operations.
- Implemented online training to mitigate the impact of restrictions on face-to-face training.
- Maintained stable renewable energy share in electricity consumption (27%) within the core business.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Code of Conduct for Suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and processes
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 14064, UNE 19601
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Circular Economy
- CO2 reduction
Environmental Achievements
- Increased recycling of hazardous waste year on year
- Production of around 1.5 million tonnes of new materials, reducing consumption of natural resources
Social Achievements
- Not disclosed
Governance Achievements
- Not disclosed
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2021-01 to 2021-06
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Circular Economy
- Environmental Sustainability
- Resource Management
Environmental Achievements
- Recycles around 1.5 million tonnes of residues annually, with a production of around 1.3 million tonnes of new materials, reducing the consumption of natural resources.
Social Achievements
- Not disclosed
Governance Achievements
- Improved credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P, reflecting strong financial management.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Circular Economy
- Biodiversity
- Health & Safety
- Compliance
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Human Rights
Environmental Achievements
- Recycled volumes increased
- New material production on new record level
- Scope 3 emissions calculated for the first time
- Production of the first and only “green zinc” in the world
- Completed certification of all plants (excluding Chinese, US, and Freiberg) to the ISO 50001 energy management system
Social Achievements
- Maintained zero fatalities
- Strong improvement in LTIR (Lost Time Injury Rate)
- US full integration into HR Policies and Procedures
- Successful onboarding process for new employees
- Implementation of HR procedures and values in the acquired subsidiaries in the United States
Governance Achievements
- Sustainability Committee established
- % of women in the board significantly increased
- IT structures and procedures introduced in the United States and China
- Improvements in ESG ratings: Global Compact Score increased
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net zero by 2050
- Reduce CO₂ emissions by 20% by 2030
- Increase the volume of waste managed and recycled to more than 2.4 million tonnes by 2025
- Increase volume of valuable materials recovered from waste and residues to more than 1.8 million tonnes by 2025
- Reduce LTIR by at least 50% by 2024 compared with 2019
Environmental Challenges
- High inflation, high energy prices, weak economic environment, difficult COVID-19 situation in China
- Limited influence on most Scope 3 emissions
Mitigation Strategies
- Initiating projects to reduce emissions and increase the share of renewable energy
- Exploring multiple options to greenify electricity consumption
- Implementing projects across plants to diversify energy mix in the long run (solar, biocoke, or hydrogen)
- Implementing operational efficiencies to reduce coke consumption
- Using PPAs for European regions to increase renewable energy share
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Befesa Supplier Code of Conduct
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- Providing key metals for energy transition
- Enabling Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel production
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 14064, ISO 45001, EMAS
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 15
Befesa is committed to Goal 15 (Life on Land) through various biodiversity initiatives.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Green zinc
- Lower-carbon recycled aluminium
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate change mitigation
- Circular economy
- Health and safety
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Compliance
Environmental Achievements
- Recycled 1.9 million tonnes of residues, recovering 1.7 million tonnes of new materials (a 2.4% increase in recycled volumes and a 4.6% increase in new materials recovered compared to 2022)
- Scope 1 intensity decreased by 10% compared to the prior year
- 5% CO₂ intensity reduction compared to 2022 and 2% vs the baseline of 2021
Social Achievements
- Achieved a Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR) of 0.45, an 18% reduction compared to 2022 and a 77% reduction compared to 2019.
- Maintained zero fatalities.
- Launched several initiatives to support employee well-being, professional development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including comprehensive health and wellness programs, expanded training and development offerings, and policies to ensure equal opportunities.
Governance Achievements
- Established a Sustainability Committee.
- Increased the percentage of women on the Board of Directors from 22.2% in 2022 to 37.5% in 2023.
- Implemented cybersecurity training for all users with computer access.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Achieve net zero emissions by 2050
- Reduce CO₂ emissions intensity by 20% by 2030 (Scope 1 and 2 emissions)
- Increase the volume of waste managed and recycled to more than 2.4 million tonnes by 2025
- Increase volume of valuable materials recovered from waste and residues to more than 1.8 million tonnes by 2025
- Reduce LTIR by at least 50% by 2024 compared with 2019
Environmental Challenges
- Adverse external factors on the commodity side of the business and a difficult situation in China.
- Slowdown in the Chinese economy and restructuring to improve long-term efficiency at Befesa’s zinc refining operation in the US.
- Earthquake in Turkey affecting operations in Iskenderun.
Mitigation Strategies
- Financial support and employee donation channel for employees affected by the earthquake in Turkey.
- Restarting operations in Iskenderun one month after the earthquake.
- Integrating Befesa Zinc US and Befesa China into Befesa’s systems.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 26 audits carried out in 2023
Responsible Procurement
- Befesa Code of Conduct for Suppliers
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Earthquake
Transition Risks
- Changes in regulations and incentives supporting industrial waste recycling
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and processes, use of hydrogen and biocoke
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, EU CSRD, EU Taxonomy
Certifications: ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 14064, ISO 45001, EMAS
Third-party Assurance: Limited assurance by external auditor (for 2024 report)
Reporting Period: 2023-01 to 2023-03
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Circular Economy
- Sustainable Global Growth Plan (SGGP)
Environmental Achievements
- Increased secondary aluminium output by 13% QoQ and by 3% yoy to 44 kt
- Manages and recycles around 1.8 million tonnes of residues annually, with a production of above 1.5 million tonnes of new materials
Social Achievements
- Providing support to its more than 90 employees in Turkey after the earthquake
- All employees in Turkey were safe and unharmed
Governance Achievements
- Board is proposing a stable €50m dividend (€1.25 per share) for 2023
Climate Goals & Targets
- US Palmerton plant refurbishment (2023 and 2024)
Environmental Challenges
- Lower zinc LME market prices (13% decrease yoy)
- Unfavourable higher zinc treatment charges (TC), up 19% yoy
- Continued record high coke prices (up 6% QoQ and 41% yoy)
- Lower volumes and capacity utilization levels yoy
- Earthquake in Turkey impacting steel dust operations
Mitigation Strategies
- Rigorously executing expansion projects
- Closely monitoring the development of energy and base metal prices
- US Palmerton plant refurbishment (2023 and 2024)
- Successfully restarted operations in Turkey in March