The environment

• the development of new, eco-friendlier production processes for our plants worldwide
• prevention and risk management
• the development of products that contribute to a cleaner environment

1. Development of eco-friendlier production processes

Our ambition is to develop eco-friendlier production processes for our plants worldwide. We do this by implementing worldwide initiatives that aim to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions and by installing sustainable infrastructure elements in all our new plants.

• Responsible use of energy is a continuous concern at Bekaert. Since 2015, Bekaert runs the Bekaert Manufacturing System (BMS), a transformation program focused on manufacturing excellence, including energy reduction measures. Although Bekaert’s overall energy consumption increased compared to 2017 due to an increase of the total tonnage produced and a shift in the product mix towards higher energy intensive products, we were able to limit the increase. In reference to 2015, the BMS Energy Program contributed to an implemented recurrent energy saving of 410 GWh/year.
• 100% of Bekaert’s production plants are equipped with LED lights. 
• In total, 37% of the electricity needs came from renewable energy sources in 2018. The success rate in sourcing from renewable energy sources largely depends on the availability of these sources and of data thereon. In Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Slovakia, the Netherlands and the UK, 100% of Bekaert’s electricity consumption comes from renewable energy sources, a step change in reducing our carbon footprint. 

Countries where Bekaert sources 100% of the electricity needs from renewable energy sources:

• Due to the increased share of renewable energy sources, we were able to reduce our GHG intensity ratio for electrical energy by 6% in 2018 compared to 2017, putting us well on track to achieve our targets. 
• In our Ranjangaon plant in India and our Weihai plant in China, we completed the installation of a zero liquid discharge water purification system. As a result, all industrial wastewater streams there are recycled and reused. 

2. Prevention and risk management

Prevention and risk management play an important role in Bekaert’s environmental policy. This includes measures against soil and ground water contamination, responsible use of water and worldwide ISO14001 certification.

• Responsible use of water is an ongoing priority. We constantly monitor our water consumption and have implemented programs that aim to reduce water usage over the long term.
• In 2018, 93% of Bekaert plants worldwide were ISO 14001 certified. ISO 14001 is part of the ISO 14000 internationally recognized standards providing practical tools to companies who wish to manage their environmental responsibilities. ISO 14001 focuses on environmental systems. Bekaert’s full worldwide certification is an ongoing goal; it is an element in the integration process of newly acquired entities and of companies that are added to the consolidation perimeter. Bekaert also received a group-wide certification for ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. The ISO 9000 family addresses various aspects of quality management.
• Bekaert complies with the European RoHS regulation on hazardous substances. 

3. Development of products that contribute to a cleaner environment

At Bekaert we develop products that contribute to a cleaner environment. Ecology is an aspect that is already considered during the R&D phase of new products. In many cases, it is even a driving factor in product development. 

Bekaert’s super-tensile and ultra-tensile steel cord ranges for tire reinforcement are examples of this. These steel cords allow tire makers to produce tires with a lower weight, thinner plies, and lower rolling resistance. This revolution enables a 15% reduction in total tire weight, thereby reducing the CO2 emissions of a vehicle by 250kg, which is equivalent to a global reduction of 850 million kg of CO2 per year.