Ljubljana, Friday, 23. November 2018 – 71 global steel producers, including the SIJ Group, signed the World Steel Association’s Sustainable Development Charter, thereby confirming their commitment to work according to the seven sustainable development principles of the steel industry, which have been coordinated with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
Steel production is one of the world’s strategically most important industries, since it directly impacts global economic, social, and environmental development. The SIJ Group is firmly aware that the steel industry, with its competitiveness and focus towards sustainability, directly and vitally influences regional and local development of the communities in which it is present.
“Sustainable business practices are a core element of the SIJ Group’s daily activities in its endeavour to achieve business excellence, environmental care, and responsibility to its employees and social environment. They serve to meet and exceed the expectations of our partners,” the President of the Management Board Andrey Zubitskiy pointed out on signing the World Steel Association’s Sustainable Development Charter.
Joining the SIJ Group in signing the Charter and committing to working according to the seven sustainable development principles were 70 other steel producers from around the world. By signing this document, the companies have taken it upon themselves to improve professional health and safety, and respect and cooperate with the local communities in which they work. The signing parties will work closely with their most important partners and create value for them, which is the basis for a successful long-term cooperation. Their production capabilities will be developed in such a way as to minimise their environmental impact, thereby contributing to environmental protection, and their operations will be run transparently, while spreading their sustainability focus through their sales and supply chains.
“The SIJ Group demonstrates its sustainability focus through vertical integration, working according to the maxims of circular economy, and by reducing its consumption of natural resources. The by-products from steel production are used to create new products, while the excess heat also coming from the production is transmitted via a district heating network to heat the town of Ravne na Koroškem. Also, we make sure that the working environment for our employees is safe,” were some of the good practices pointed out by the President of the Management Board of the SIJ Group, Andrey Zubitskiy, who added, “We pay special attention to the social environment, especially in Jesenice and Ravne na Koroškem, where our production facilities are located. We give back to the local environment – which makes our work possible – by sponsoring professional and recreational sports through the “Made of Steel” project and through other socially beneficial activities, such as the day dedicated to cooperation with the local community. Since we are a part of the World Steel Association, we are committed to fulfilling the vision of steel as a key sustainable material. Across Slovenia, the SIJ Group is equipping outdoor sports grounds with steel outdoor workout equipment, thereby raising awareness on steel as a sustainable and all-round beneficial material.”The SIJ Group uses its annual report to openly notify the public on all its activities related to sustainable development.
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The SIJ Group is the largest Slovenian vertically integrated metallurgical group, whose products occupy leading positions on the European and global niche steel markets. The Group consists of two core business areas – metallurgy (core business) and poultry (Perutnina Ptuj Group) – which together employ almost 7600 people in Slovenia and abroad.
According to the first unaudited business results for the first half of 2018, the metallurgy and poultry business areas generated sales revenues of EUR 557.8 million, which represents a 9-percent growth in comparison to the first half of 2017. Both business areas also maintained profitability, with an operating profit (EBITDA) of EUR 57.4 million. The operating profit is stable and remains at approximately the same level as in the first half of 2017. The total net profit in the first half of 2018 amounted to EUR 13.6 million.
Additional information:
The Slovenian Steel Group
mag. Sara Wagner, Head of Corporate Communications
Telephone: +386 1 242 98 27
Mobile: +386 1 41 313 532
E-mail: sara.wagner@sij.si
