A Major Step from Borçelik Towards Sustainability: BORÇELİK GEMLİK BECAME THE FIRST STEEL SITE IN TURKEY TO RECEIVE RESPONSIBLESTEEL™ CERTIFICATE
Borçelik, a joint venture of Borusan Holding and ArcelorMittal, has been awarded the prestigious certificate granted by ResponsibleSteel™, for its main production site in Gemlik. ResponsibleSteel™ is known as the steel industry’s first global multi-stakeholder standard and certification initiative, driving the responsible production and sourcing of steel. Having aligned all internal policies, processes, and practices with the standard developed by ResponsibleSteel™ covering socio-economic and environmental sustainability, Borçelik became the first steel producer in Turkey to have a site qualify for this certificate.
Borçelik, Turkey's biggest galvanized flat steel producer offering the highest quality, which operates in partnership with Borusan Holding and ArcelorMittal -one of the world's largest steel producers- was awarded the prestigious certificate granted by ResponsibleSteel™, for its Gemlik site. ResponsibleSteel™ is known as the steel industry's first global, multi-stakeholder international standard and certification initiative, which promotes the minimization of environmental impacts in steel production processes and more efficient use of natural resources. Borçelik has become the first steel producer in Turkey to have a site qualify for this certificate which is granted within the scope of the ResponsibleSteel™ certification process developed around 12 principles on environmental, socio-economic, and governance issues.
ResponsibleSteel™, established and operating towards maximizing the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of the steel industry in line with the goal of "building a sustainable future for the global steel industry", focuses on different topics such as reducing carbon emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and providing safe working conditions for employees. It further aims to strengthen the cooperation with local communities. It encourages steel manufacturers to carry out various processes and dialogues to understand the social impacts in the regions where they operate and to ensure community participation. Thus, it makes the processes of assessing and managing the social impacts of steel manufacturing facilities more transparent and fairer.
Borçelik Is Committed To The Highest Sustainability Standards
ResponsibleSteel™’s CEO, Annie Heaton, commented, “This first ResponsibleSteel™l certification of a site in Turkey demonstrates Borcelik’s drive to be a leader in the Turkish steel industry, and more importantly, the company’s commitment to implementing the most rigorous criteria for sustainability. On an environmental level, the company has committed to achieving net zero by 2050 and the site already has several energy efficiency projects as well as wind and solar plants in the works to support this journey. The site has gone above and beyond to minimise environmental impacts including setting up its own water stewardship project to monitor water efficiency and prevent future scarcity while on a human level, the site has demonstrated a deep commitment to ensuring workers’ rights and safety and equality in the workplace.”
Borçelik joined the ranks of the world's largest steel production companies as a ResponsibleSteel™ member in 2020. Following the process of compliance with the ResponsibleSteel™ standard, the company was audited by the leading independent audit company UK CARES before being awarded the ResponsibleSteel™ certificate.
Among the World's Top Steel Manufacturers
Kerem Çakır, General Manager of Borçelik, stated that as Borçelik they have achieved significant and innovative works in line with the sustainability goals they have carried out comprehensively in the focus areas of climate, human, and innovation. Çakır added that: “As one of the leading and pioneering institutions of our industry, we have been committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. We are very proud that the presence of this approach in all our business applications is confirmed with the ResponsibleSteel™ certification and we have achieved another first in our country with the certificate that we were awarded. As a responsible industry leader, we aim to inspire the change in the steel industry and contribute to a more sustainable world in all areas.”
Stating that Borçelik prioritizes its environmental and social responsibilities and proves its leadership role in the field of sustainability with ResponsibleSteel™ certification, Serkan Ürkmez, Borçelik Sustainability Leader, further added that “As Borçelik, we had undergone a very intense preparation period to comply with ResponsibleSteel™ standards. We worked together with our Sustainability Committee. The standard's environmental and social expectations are really challenging. After this preliminary stage, we successfully completed a detailed and challenging 14-day audit process conducted by the leading independent audit firm UK CARES. At the end of this process, we are happy to be the first ResponsibleSteel™ site-certified institution in our country. We will continue to be an exemplary institution in our industry with our activities.”
Borcelik’s ShareHolders Embrace Sustainability as Top Priority
Borusan Holding and its Group companies consider “sustainability” as the cornerstone of business processes and address it in an inclusive manner while working in the focus areas of climate, people, and innovation. It considers sustainability as a stakeholder-based structure and works towards creating life-long "benefits" by incorporating nature into its business processes.
ArcelorMittal is a global leader in steel and mining, with sustainability at the heart of its purpose: smarter steels for people and planet. Steels made using innovative processes which use less energy, emit significantly less carbon and reduce costs. Steels that are cleaner, stronger and reusable. Steels for electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure that will support societies as they transform through this century.
About Borçelik
Borçelik, Turkey's biggest galvanized flat steel producer offering the highest quality, which operates in partnership with Borusan Holding and ArcelorMittal- one of the world's largest steel producers, was established in 1990 as Turkey's first private and second largest flat steel producer and continues its activities as Turkey's biggest and highest quality galvanized flat steel producer. Borçelik has a total production capacity of 1.5 million tons. Kerim Çelik brand, which is the first Steel Service Center (SSC) in Turkey at global standards, continues its operations with a metal processing capacity of 500 thousand tons. Borçelik continues its operations in 5 different locations.
About ResponsibleSteel
ResponsibleSteel is a global multistakeholder standard and certification initiative for the steel industry. Its mission is to be a driving force in the socially and environmentally responsible production of net-zero steel, globally.
ResponsibleSteel’s members include some of the leading players in the industry working together to minimise the impact of steel manufacturing on people and the planet. Businesses from every part of the steel value chain, civil society groups, and other organisations are welcome to join.
ResponsibleSteel’s underlying purpose is to maximise steel’s contribution to a sustainable world by:
• Providing a multi-stakeholder forum to build trust and achieve consensus;
• Developing standards, certification and related tools;
• Driving positive change through the recognition and use of responsible steel.
The ResponsibleSteel International Standard is designed to support the responsible sourcing and production of steel. It covers a range of sustainability issues including emissions, pollution, responsible sourcing, human rights, labour standards, and more.
For more information about ResponsibleSteel please visit https://www.responsiblesteel.org/.
