Sustainability

The steel sector is responsible for around 5% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, 7% in the world, and is one of the target sectors of the Paris Agreement. In addition, at the Climate Change Conference (COP27) held in 2022, countries representing more than 50% of world GDP established a series of “priority actions” aimed at specific sectors, including steel. For this reason, this sector is essential to achieve the objective of limiting the increase in the planet’s temperature to 2ºC and not exceeding 1.5ºC.
We are aware of the challenge that climate change poses for the planet, therefore, we have the objective of reducing our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030, and being climate neutral by 2050.

Our decarbonization plan is structured around two main axes:

• Scope 1 reduction: to reduce direct emissions from the process we are working on: a) Improving energy efficiency: we are working on projects to develop and incorporate new technologies to replace natural gas by biomethane, green hydrogen, electrification, etc.b) We reduce the use of fossil fuels: technologies and process improvements are studied and implemented to reduce consumption and be more efficient in combustion processes such as oxygen doping and charging in hot, which allows the steel bars from the steel mill (bills) to be loaded directly hot to the next phase of the production process (rolling furnace) to increase the efficiency of the process. Likewise, another of the relevant sources of direct emissions is the use of coal, for which we develop projects for the substitution of coal by the use of more sustainable alternative materials such as biochar, shredded tires and polymers, and the substitution of iron ore. pre-reduced by the green DRI.
• The reduction of scope 2: for the reduction of indirect emissions from electricity, work is being done on: a) Improve the energy efficiency to reduce electrical consumption of processes such as the installation of frequency inverters, and have greater control of energy consumption through analyzers, counters and mathematical models.
  b) Substitute conventional energy sources for renewable energy sources through long-term energy purchase and sale agreements with a renewable development company (Power Purchase Agreements) and the contracting of electricity with Guarantees of Origin.

We are firmly committed to the recovery and use of the waste generated during the steelmaking process to promote the circular economy. Waste management not only allows us to be more sustainable, it is also a central element of our business.

Today’s world economy is only 7.2% circular, and year after year the results are more negative, given the increase in the extraction and use of materials .

At Grupo Celsa we invest to increase the recovery percentages and open new lines of business related to recycling, the treatment of plastics, and other non-ferrous metals or wood, through the use of pioneering techniques.

Innovation is crucial, and it has allowed us to position ourselves as leaders in the circular industry and in the decarbonisation of the sector. In this sense, we are advancing with our sights set on the objective of going from being 89.4% circular in 2021 to 98% in 2030.

The commitment to talent and professionalism means guaranteeing salaries commensurate with the importance of the positions held by the professional team, their level of commitment and training, placing them above the market. For this, we use objective description and valuation systems that comply with international guidelines, such as Korn Ferry, WTW and Mercer.

The team of professionals is not only the driving force that drives improvement, but is also an essential part of the history and identity of Grupo Celsa. People are essential for the present and future of a company. The main priorities and interests, in relation to people, are safety, health and well-being; the attraction and development of talent; the commitment and alignment with the values; and ethics and professional development.

Our commitment to health and safety is transversal, and extends to all those people who are not part of the organization, Stakeholders, such as: contractors, client companies, supplier companies, visitors and community of coexistence.

We are committed to the development of people, equal opportunities, diversity and the well-being of work and family life.

We operate in an industry where women have traditionally been underrepresented. Aware of the challenge, we have been applying equality policies and action plans for many years to gradually reverse this trend.

Diversity is an essential part of our corporate culture. Discrimination based on sex, race, ideology, nationality, religion or sexual orientation or any other personal, physical or social condition is not allowed, as established in the Grupo Celsa Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. We believe in people, in their abilities and in their values.

Locally, over the years, we have built strong ties with client and supplier companies and forged lasting alliances. All this based on the fidelity of its products and services.

We act with full respect for the local cultures of the countries and territories where we operate.

We are committed to responsible supply chains and encourage communication with all interested parties to achieve a sustainable activity that is beneficial to society.

We are a business created in 1967 and with more than 50 years of history. From a rolling mill in Castellbisbal and a small steel mill, a group has been created that has recently been among the top five Spanish family businesses and in position 17 on the Ibex 35 in terms of turnover.

We have contributed 2,613 million euros to the Spanish economy during 2021, which is equivalent to 0.3% of Spanish GDP and 46% of the GDP of the metallurgical sector in Spain. One euro of added value generated by Barna Steel, S.A. contributes to generating almost 4 euros of added value in the Spanish economy.

The second generation is now at the helm of the company and its priority is to continue contributing to the industrial, economic and social development of the countries in which it operates, with a priority focus on the preservation of natural resources and decarbonization.

The Purchasing Policy establishes that the contractual conditions must clearly reflect the commitment of the supplier companies to respect and act in accordance with their Code of Ethics and the Principles of the Global Compact, regarding human rights, labour, environmental and anti-corruption. In addition, our Purchasing Policy places special emphasis on the need to minimize environmental impact, apply sustainability criteria, preserve health, and prioritize those supplier companies that are best valued.

The approval procedure for supplier companies positively assesses those that have a better performance in these sustainable aspects and that, at the same time, have an Environmental Management System ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 on Occupational Health and Safety.