Vision 2020

Sustainability
Report
Ecocem Group

Contents

05 06
Letter from the Group About Ecocem
Managing Director

09 12
Context of the Report Summary of Performance
and Targets

14 16
Our Achievements at a Glance Workplace

26 32
Ethics & Governance Environment

42
Community
 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 05

Letter from the Group Managing Director

2020 marked an unprecedented year globally for

businesses and citizens as we all dealt with the
challenges posed by COVID-19. For Ecocem, Covid has
meant that this is our first Sustainability Report since
2018. The report reflects the excellent progress made
over this period.

We have improved our safety systems and culture, we

have shot up the Carbon Disclosure Project scoresheet
from a D to a B, and we have shifted our work practices
on-line, with big savings in time and in CO2 emissions
from staff travel. All this reflects a healthy, adaptable, and
entrepreneurial culture, expressed through improved
teamwork and the ambitious target to be a global leader
in the reduction of CO2 emissions in the cement sector.

2020 also marked the 20th anniversary for the group

and 10th anniversary for the largest subsidiary within
the group- Ecocem France. The successes the business
recorded in 2020 demonstrates our resilience and
reflects the efforts of the Ecocem team. Our dedicated customer base realise and appreciate more and
more the efforts we make to provide them with low-carbon technology and products.

We have seen the business environment change as well. The New Green Deal promises real action on
climate change in all our markets. Many industries are in a process of reinvention to reach zero carbon
emissions. So far, the cement sector is failing to rise to this existential challenge. We, on the other hand,
Many industries are in a process have long been committed to this struggle. Our development of new technology will feature strongly in
our future activities. This decade we plant to triple our efforts in lowering sectoral CO2 emissions. And
of reinvention to reach zero carbon we will cooperate with like-minded companies to achieve a globally significant impact.
emissions. So far, the cement sector This year has seen us take a more structured approach to training with the launch of our Ecocem
is failing to rise to this existential Academy. We will use it to develop the skills and knowledge throughout the company and at all levels.
The rate and extent of change in our industry is such that, where appropriate, we will extend the
challenge. We, on the other hand, benefits of this training to partners and customers.

have long been committed to this This year we successfully attracted a substantial equity investment from Breakthrough Energy Ventures
and Breakthrough Energy Ventures Europe. This investment will enable Ecocem to bring new ultra-low-
struggle. Our development of new carbon cements to the market over the coming years. These new products will draw on Ecocem’s deep
knowledge in slag-based cements as well as incorporating new materials and technologies developed
technology will feature strongly in by the company.
our future activities. This decade, Change is deeply impacting all that we do. This 2020 Sustainability Report reflects this very clearly. You
we plant to triple our efforts in

”
can expect that Ecocem will continue to play its role as we grow our company, enhance our capacities,
protect our employees, and ensure the safety of all those who visit our sites or work with our products.
lowering sectoral CO2 emissions
Donal O’Riain
- Donal O’Riain
Group Managing Director, Ecocem Donal O’Riain | MD Ecocem Group
06 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 7

About Ecocem
Our Mission

The Ecocem Group is an independent specialist producer of GGBS (ground

Leading the way
granulated blast furnace slag) and low carbon technological solutions provider for
the cement sector, established in 2000.
with low carbon
cement technology.
Ecocem GGBS is made from GBS, a by-product
from the manufacture of Iron and is a high-
Across the group, our innovation team has
developed and increased sales in all areas of It’s time to build a
sustainable future.
Plants
performance alternative to traditional cement, the business, from accelerators to dry mortars (Fos-sur-Mer, Dunkirk, Dublin, Moerdijk)

reducing environmental impacts while improving and revolutionary self-levelling flooring systems. Terminals
(Gävle, Runcom, Sheerness)
technical performance and appearance of All our products have a third party verified
concrete. We run a highly successful research and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
development team with experts in some of the demonstrating full disclosure of our life cycle
best technical universities across Europe. Through impacts. As our business grows, we strive to
technical innovation, we aim to extend the use ensure that society and the environment are at
of GGBS into new areas of application and to the centre of our business strategy and practices. Our Vision
allow our customers the best possible value from Our strategically located import terminals and The Ecocem Group is committed to deep and rapid decarbonisation of the global cement
the use of GGBS. The increasing price of carbon production facilities across Europe, as well as industry. We develop and apply sophisticated low-carbon technology. We work in close
will encourage the market to move away from strategic partnerships and long-term supply cooperation with similarly motivated partners.
traditional Portland cements to more low agreements, ensure a constant supply of high
carbon options. quality GGBS to all our European customers. Our energy and our success come from a cohesive, innovative, tenacious and flourishing
team culture.

3 Subsidaries A constant and reliable Our Values

across: Ecocem Over 150 supply of high
Benelux, Ecocem Ireland Employees quality GGBS to all Cohesive: Engagement, proactive communication, teamwork and collaboration. Strong
& Ecocem France our European customers
meaningful relationships based on trust, reciprocity and solidarity. Being aware and
agile, supporting each other in order to realize a common goal.

Supplies 14 local
into 10 low carbon
European cementitious products Tenacious: Grit, determination, resilience, perseverance. Taking risks and learning from mistakes.
countries with EPD’s Managing change, pressure, and growth in a sustainable way.

Innovative: Continuous improvement, creativity, and adaptability. Responding to ever changing

Production Largest needs with pertinence. Being entrepreneurial and challenging the status quo, striving
capacity of over independent €2million
for behaviours and solutions that enhance our products and services and make the
2.4 million GGBS producer spent on R & D
work environment a better place.
tonnes of GGBS in Europe annually

Flourishing: Positivity, energy, enjoyment, passion, full potential performance, and prosperity. A
work culture where people are able to express their unique talents, be challenged,
develop, and grow. A healthy environment where people feel happy and secure.
8 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 09

Context of the Report

Vision 2020 was our program for growth across Europe for 2017-2020. This year’s sustainability
report will conclude our reporting against the targets identified in 2017.

It will provide a snapshot of our final performance

against the vision 2020 targets, as well as, key
initiatives, major projects and news. It will also
shine the spotlight on some team members as
they worked towards these targets.

This year we expanded our Scope 3 reporting to

include business travel and waste to ensure our
impacts can be addressed. We are continuously
improving our sustainability strategy and will
include further partners in our supply chain in our
materiality assessment in the future. This year’s
report focuses on the issues identified at the
beginning of our journey – those of significant
importance to both society and our business.

Materiality issues:

Workplace Ethics & Governance

Occupational health & safety Anti-corruption & modern slavery

Non-discrimination Compliance & environmental
Regulation
Employee well-being
Customer health & safety (impacts)

Environment Community

Environmental impact of products/ Local community

services
Charity development
GHG Emissions (Impact)
10 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 11

Spotlight On Our New Partnership

Breakthrough Energy Ventures “Concrete is the foundation of human development, but its conventional production is
highly CO2-intensive,” said EIB Vice-President in charge of innovation, Teresa Czerwinska. “The
Paris agreement on climate change demands that annual carbon emissions from the cement
industry fall by up to 50% by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5- 2 centigrade. Innovative
technologies in the sector are therefore more needed than ever. I am happy that EIB-support
enables financing for a company that can substantially reduce the carbon footprint of cement.”
Ecocem has long been a pioneer and market leader in slag-based and other green
cements. In 2021 BEV and BEV Europe invested €22.5Million in Ecocem Materials to
enable Ecocem bring new ultra-low carbon cements to the global market over the
coming years. These new products will draw on Ecocem’s deep knowledge of slag-
“I welcome this investment by BEV-E,” said Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for
based cements as well as incorporating new materials and technologies developed by
Innovation and Research. “Europe and its partners support Ecocem, an independent company
the company.
in the cement industry, one of the hardest to abate sectors. Ecocem’s low carbon solutions
can impact not only industrialised countries but also the emerging economies. With this
third transaction in 2021, I am satisfied to see BEV-E adding to a portfolio of highly innovative
Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) is backed The cement sector is already developing enterprises in Europe, across sectors and challenges such as green hydrogen, renewable carbon
by many of the world’s top business leaders and deploying a range of carbon reduction sources, and today, cement.”
and invests in cutting-edge companies that will technologies. Ecocem will add a further
lead the world to net-zero emissions. BEV has dimension to these efforts, provide wide access
more than $2 billion in committed capital to to its low-carbon technology, and support the
support bold entrepreneurs that can significantly sector in moving to a Paris-compliant, emissions
reduce emissions from agriculture, buildings, reduction trajectory. “There’s no question the cement and concrete sector is a massive contributor to global carbon
electricity, manufacturing, and transportation. emissions and one of the hardest to abate,” said Carmichael Roberts of Breakthrough Energy
BEV’s strategy links government-funded Ventures. “That’s why we’re excited about the work Ecocem has been doing in Europe, and its
research and patient, risk-tolerant capital to continued focus, working with the existing cement industry to deploy new technologies and
bring transformative clean energy innovations accelerate the adoption of ultra-low carbon cements. This type of cross industry collaboration is
to market as quickly as possible. Similarly,
BEV-E links European Investment Bank funding
Concrete is the needed to drive real change”

guaranteed by the European Programme for

Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020, with
foundation of
long-term risk capital in order to accelerate
global decarbonisation and support clean energy
human development,
innovations reaching the market - faster, more
efficiently, and in more places in Europe. BEV-E
but its conventional
brings cooperation with private investors to a production is highly
new level.
CO2-intensive
The manufacture of cement generates
7% of global CO2 emissions. Progress in
- EIB Vice-President in charge of innovation,
decarbonisation has been limited by the high Teresa Czerwinska
level of process-related CO2 emissions of
cement clinker manufacture. The sector faces
high investment and high operating cost from
deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage/
Use (CCSU) beyond 2030. Only limited further
decarbonisation potential is foreseen this
decade. Ecocem’s new technologies will enable
the global cement industry to reduce its CO2
emissions rapidly and without excessive cost,
providing high-performance cements with
significantly lower clinker content.
12 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 13

Summary of Performances & Targets

Category Issue Performance Index 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 Target Status

OCCUPATIONAL Incident Rate 0.80 2.73 1.70 1.30 Less than 1 per 100,000 hours worked
HEALTH & SAFETY Fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 fatalities
Increase spend on safety training 50% 50% 20% 109% 50% 80% Achieved
ISO 45001 Certified Sites 50% 100% 100% 100% 100%
WORKPLACE Toolbox talks 34 48 69 80 Increase by 50%

NON-DISCRIMINATION Increase of female workforce 24% 38% 76% 90% No target

50% Achieved
Staff trained in diversity launched 25% 50% 75% 100%

EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING Management on external training courses 10% 54% 89% 97% 25%
Training needs analysis in place in sites 50% 75% 100% 100% 100%
Wellness programs in sites launched 25% 100% 100% 100%
100% Achieved

ANTI-CORRUPTION Employees that received Ethics and 18% 25% 50% 50% 100%
& MODERN SLAVERY anti-corruption training 50% Achieved
Judgements, prosecution & rulings 0 0 0 0 0

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE & Formal audits 25 31 31 37 37

GOVERNANCE ENVIRONMENTAL 50% Achieved
ISO 14001 certified site 70% 100% 100% 100% 100%
REGULATION

CUSTOMER HEALTH & Educational presentations delivered 122 218 133 125 200
SAFETY (IMPACTS) to customers 50% Achieved
Innovation partnership 28 42 45 50 40

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT GGBS carbon emission (KgCO2e/tonne) 33 39 34 43 -5% Not Achieved

OF PRODUCTS/SERVICES Group

ENVIRONMENT GHG EMISSIONS CO2 Saving (million tonnes) 10 9.4 12.1 12.5 14 89% Achieved
(Impact)

LOCAL COMMUNITY/ Internships per year 4 4 4 1 8 Not Achieved

CHARITY DEVELOPMENT
Increase in financial support to 57% 10% 31% 25% 55% Not Achieved
local charities
COMMUNITY
Sites with active community launched 50% 50% 50% 100% Not Achieved
engagement program
14 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020

Our Achievements at a Glance

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated and talented workforce across Europe in implementing
our group strategy, we successfully achieved several targets and commitments in a challenging year.

Our achievements include:

0
Fatalities

90%
Increase in female
B
CDP Rating
workforce
The reduction on CO2
Project Spotlight emissions from the use of
SSC and GGBS is estimated
The TELT Story 530,740 tonnes

60%
12.5 Targets Achieved
0 The TELT is part of a new 217km rail link from Lyon, France to Turin,
Italy. On completion in 2030, the tunnel section of 57.5km will be
On completion in
Million Tonnes of Judgements,
CO2 saved prosecutions or the longest rail tunnel in the world. The TELT rail link is estimated 2030, the tunnel
rulings to reduce CO2 emissions by 3mt p.a. by replacing road freight.
section of 57.5km
Major tunnel works are expected to commence in mid-2023, be
completed by 2028, and cost from €10-12bn.
will be the
longest rail tunnel
GGBS from FOS will be used throughout the tunnel, supplied
in the world.
100% 200
over a 5-year period. Ecocem has developed a special sulphated
cement (SSC) for use on a 6km section which is heavily
contaminated by Sulphates- precluding the use of conventional cements. ArceloMittal has supplied
Increase in Safety Educational high alumina slag for production of this cement and Holcim has cooperated closely in development of
Spending presentations concrete formulations to use SSC.
to customers
The SSC allows the reuse of extracted, contaminated aggregates as constituents in the concrete for
internal use in the tunnel. The environmental problems of disposal of these contaminated aggregates
are thus avoided. This has been a major requirement of the TELT project.
 Workplace
• In 2018, one fifth of all fatal accidents at work in the
EU-27 took place within the construction sector

• Within the EU, work related stress is of some or major

concern in nearly 80% of establishments. At the same
time, less than 30% of organisations in Europe have
procedures for dealing with workplace stress

• The construction sector is the EU’s largest industrial

employer with 15 million workers. But only a very
small percentage of these employees are women
18 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 19

Workplace Workplace Performance

Workplace
Within the workplace category, we saw our best performance to date with an 80% achievement
rate. This is a testament to the groups commitment to employee safety and wellbeing. As a growing
Occupational Health & Safety
company, the dynamism and flexibility of our team remains one of our biggest strengths. Current Performance

“
Covid 19 brought challenges not only to our business but on a
personal level to each one of our staff. Our work practices had to 1.30 0 109% 100% 80
change rapidly, and our team responded gallantly adjusting to At Ecocem Incident Rate Fatalities
Increased spending
on safety training
ISO 45001
Certified Sites
Toolbox
Talks
new safety measures while maintaining our high-quality service
and product delivery. While many members of our team moved to
innovation is
2020 Target
remote working, our production team became our frontline workers key to the long-
ensuring our supply chain was not disrupted and the construction
term success of

Ethics & Governance

<1 0 50% 100% 50%
industry could have a steady supply of low carbon material to build Per 100,000 Increased spending ISO 45001
Fatalities Increase
essential services.
our business and hours worked on safety training Certified Sites

Our spending on safety increased by over 100% since the start of we know that ACHIEVED ACHIEVED ACHIEVED ACHIEVED

our programme showing the overall increased awareness of safety

diversity drives

”
across the group. We are proud to maintain our 0-fatality rate and
continue to work on lowering our accident frequency rate through
training and toolbox talks. Health and safety committees have been innovation. Non-Discrimination
established in every country we operate in with a strong
focus on near miss reporting. Current Performance

Since 2017, our female workforce has increased by 90% and 75% of our staff received diversity 90% Increase
training. At Ecocem, innovation is key to the long-term success of our business and we know that of female workforce
26% Female 75% Staff
since 2017 Workforce overall Trained in diversity
diversity drives innovation. As specific focus of all senior managers was to instil diversity principles

Environment
into their hiring processes.
2020 Target

30% Female 100% Staff

Employee Spotlight: Anne Debenath Plant Manager, Durkirk Workforce overall Trained in diversity

Ecocem’s Anne Debenath, Dunkirk Production Manager, won

the prestigious French Industry Award from Usine Nouvelle,
France’s best-known industry magazine for her outstanding Employee Well-Being
career in the Best Female Hope category. This is a fantastic
achievement, Anne, we are all very proud to have you on our Current Performance
team. Many congratulations.
97% 100% 100%

Community
Management on external Training needs Wellness programs
training courses analysis in place in place

2020 Target

25%
Management on external 100% 100%
training courses Training needs Wellness programs
analysis in place in place

ACHIEVED ACHIEVED ACHIEVED

20 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 21

Employee Spotlight Project Spotlight

Workplace
Employee Engagement across the group during COVID

Employee engagement is vital for business

success. COVID-19 has changed the way
we communicate with each other.

Ethics & Governance

Senior management team changed from
in person social engagements replaced
with Zoom parties. Going forward, Ecocem
will maintain the group policy of reduced
business travel and increased use of
video conferencing.

The Hekla Tower, Paris. Our client BSM & BATEG performing non-stop 1700m3 concrete pour
with a mix design of 50% GGBS for the foundation slab of the Hekla Tower in the La Defence
business district in Paris. By August 2021, our clients Vinci Construction France and BSM poured

Environment
a total of 55,000m3 of Concrete representing 8250t of GGBS and saving an estimated 7000t of
CO2 in concrete.

Laura De Jongh
delivers her

“
Accounts Assistant, Ecocem Benelux.
experience in
Hi all! Under normal about returning to the office
Benelux : circumstances we when the Covid regulations
The Van der
Valk Hotel,
travel to Moerdijk to work at the allow it. We all agreed working Amsterdam.
office, plant or lab, but since the from home has its ups and Ecocem Benelux
outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, downs. The plan is to work 2-3 is going to pour

Community
this has become a challenge days at home in the future. This Eco2floor in the
for us all. Luckily most office will not only save fuel (beneficial new Van der Valk
staff are equipped to work to our own expenditure) and hotel (south Ax)
from home, including myself. travelling time but it saves travel in Amsterdam.
So within a few weeks, we had expenses for the company and This 55 m-high
all the required functionality reduces CO2 emissions on the

”
building will have
operating the telephone side. That’s nice for a company 14 storeys and 245
system working from home. which is producing low hotel rooms.
The finance team have spoken carbon products.
22 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 23

Contributing to Cement

Workplace
Sector Decarbonisation Mirjam Rubingh Product Manager, Eco2 Floor - Ecocem Benelux

January 2020, I joined Ecocem as Product Manager for the

innovative low carbon GGBS based screed, Eco2Floor,
launched in 2018. Being brought up in an environment
Ana Carolina Raulino Laboratory Technician, Quality Control Team - Ecocem Ireland
where various flooring applications and screeds were my
father’s profession, this role fits like a glove.
My name is Ana Carolina Raulino, I am very proud to be part of In my role, I seek and seize opportunities in the market,
the Quality Control team for the final product and raw material accompanying both our appointed Eco2Floor dealers, and
at Ecocem Ireland. Our advanced technology and quality our certified applicators during projects. I also present
plan enables us produce high quality and consistent product Eco2Floor to architects, project developers, housing
characteristics in agreement with the highest standards for

Ethics & Governance

corporations, and inform them about our sustainable
building chemistry. At the EIL Laboratory I ensure the Quality advantages compared to other traditional products.
Control Team makes a significant contribution to Ecocem
Ireland’s objective of delivering clean economic growth The main binder used in Eco2Floor is Ecocem-GGBS, making
that maximises decarbonisation of the cement industry. My it very sustainable. My goal is to increase awareness about
approach is based on a conscientious and responsible work this low carbon, innovative product, Eco2Floor on various
culture that has proved effective so far. levels and steer towards the growth and market share we
seek. An interesting and challenging job, within a nice team
My role does not end in quality control, I am actively involved of colleagues.
in the development of product innovations that can maximize
decarbonisation, participating in discussions and actions in this
area. To encourage innovation, we welcome ideas on using and
optimizing GGBS from everyone.

Key 90% Increase in our female

Environment
Fact: workforce since 2017
Chisom Ekomaru Sustainability Coordinator - Ecocem Materials

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing

humanity presently. The building and construction sector is
responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions and 11% of this
comes from embodied carbon of construction materials and
processes. An important step in decarbonising the construction
industry is measuring carbon footprint of construction products
and specifying use of low carbon products for construction Project Spotlight
projects.

Community
As Sustainability Coordinator, one of my main responsibilities Eco2Floor in Paleis ‘t loo
is providing reliable GHG emissions data for the organisation Floors fit for a king. Ecocem
and its customers and facilitating Life Cycle Analysis within the Innovation product, Eco2Floor
construction Sector. It is great to be part of an organisation that being installed as part of €123M
has demonstrated high level of leadership in sustainability from renovation of Paleis ‘t Loo,
the start and cares deeply about reducing the carbon footprint a royal Dutch Palace (former
of its industry using innovative, circular technology. summer residence of the Dutch
royal family).
 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 25

An important “Ecocem is heading into the next decade with

a wider range of solutions, resulting from its

Workplace
characteristic of continued investment in innovation. The work done
by its teams on a more efficient and more innovative
use of GGBS has borne fruit and paves the way for
Ecocem France is the a real technical upheaval. “ says Conor O’Riain,
Managing Director Europe of Ecocem.
skill and expertise Ecocem France intends to bring to the construction
of the technical and sector not only the best low carbon solution for the
concrete industry, but also quality solutions for many
commercial team in other applications.
This new decade will be even more important for
low carbon cement the development of Ecocem France because the

”
entire construction sector urgently needs to work on

technology technically reliable low-carbon solutions.

Ethics & Governance

Today we are witnessing the decline of polluting
construction. All of the key players in this sector are
France is contributing to the low carbon transition mobilising to implement sustainable construction
taking place in both markets. practices in response to climate change. This spirit
of partnership in the search for the best solutions
An important characteristic of Ecocem France for tomorrow is a key factor in accelerating the
is the skill and expertise of the technical development of Ecocem France. For the entire
and commercial team in low carbon cement Ecocem France team, this is also the starting point
Ten years of production, technology. Working directly with our clients and
partners and provide training and educational
for tackling the challenges of tomorrow.

support, and delivery to all resources has accelerated the transition to

sustainable construction in France.

Environment
Ecocem France customers

How far we’ve come in 10 years About Ecocem France

2 1.4 million
plants in T Capacity The first Ecocem France production site began
France production in 2009, located in Fos-sur-Mer in
the South of France. A joint venture was then

Community
created between Ecocem and ArcelorMittal.
Export of First Female Since then, the Fos-sur-Mer site has tripled its
Materials Plant Manager production and Ecocem France production
capacity was doubled again in 2018 with the
building of a second production facility in
Dunkirk. The Dunkirk Plant now serves the
State of the art, northern half of France, Ile-de France and as well
brand new plant as being our primary exporter. Exporting to both
in Dunkirk of our UK Terminals in Manchester and London
and our Swedish terminal in Gävle, Ecocem
 Ethics and
Governance
• The value of global construction output is expected
to reach $17.5 trillion per annum by 2030. It is also
estimated the value of losses through corruption to
range between 10% and 30%

• 18% of reported forced labour exploitation cases

worked in the construction industry

• Innovation is vital to overcome technological

challenges inhibiting decarbonisation of global
cement and construction industry
28 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 29

Ethics and Governance Ethics & Governance Performance

Workplace
Ecocem strives to uphold the highest standard of ethics and compliance in all markets
Anti-Corruption & Modern Slavery
it operates in. We are constantly reviewing and evolving our corporate governance Current Performance
processes and maintain board level oversight in critical business issues. We operate an
ethics policy across the group and ensure our supply chain is transparent and free of
modern slavery.
50% of Employees 0 Judgements,
have received Ethics and prosecutions & rulings
anti-corruption training
We operate ISO certified sites across Europe and maintain compliance with our local permits.
To maintain our high compliance record, the Group has invested in audit training for many of the 2020 Target
plant and quality teams. Our audit frequency has increased along with our spare parts inventory
to ensure production continuity at the highest standard.

Ethics & Governance

100% of Employees 0 Judgements,
have received Ethics and prosecutions & rulings
Educating the market on the impacts of our products and building long term partnerships are anti-corruption training
key to helping our customers make informed decisions on the products they are using.
ACHIEVED

Business Risks & Opportunities Compliance and Environment Regulation

A key aspect of our corporate governance is managing business risk and opportunities.
Current Performance
All business risks and opportunities are monitored through our Business Risks and Opportunities
Register, overseen by the Board to ensure that risk and opportunity management is integral to our 37 Formal 100%
business strategy. Ecocem’s Risks and Opportunities Register is assessed regularly to ensure its Audits ISO 14001 certified site
effectiveness and has been instrumental in the development of a low-carbon transition plan, and

Environment
influencing long, medium and short-term targets.
2020 Target
The senior management team meets quarterly to assess risks and opportunities identified as well as
monitor items already integrated into the business management system. All risks and opportunities are 37 Formal 100%
evaluated for their probability of occurrence and the potential resulting impact. This enables strategic Audits ISO 14001 certified site
intervention so that risks are mitigated and opportunities are realised. It is the responsibility of the
ACHIEVED ACHIEVED
senior management team to identify, assess and manage business risks and opportunities. However,
responsibility for implementing intervention strategies lies at all levels of the business structure.

Customer Health & Safety (Impacts)

Current Performance
Project Spotlight

Community
125 Educational 50 Innovation
presentations delivered
Ecoshot demonstration to customers
Partnerships
Ecocem’s demonstation of the
early age compressive strength of 2020 Target
Ecoshot was observed by 70 experts
including members of industry and 200 Educational
specialised press in France. Ecoshot
40 Innovation
presentations delivered
is the first major activated GGBS to customers
Partnerships
shotcrete globally. ACHIEVED
30 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 31

Spotlight on Ecocem’s contribution

Workplace
to Technical Committees in Europe

Over the past couple of years, Ecocem has of Ecocem technologies to decarbonisation. Since
been increasingly active within technical then, the technical agenda has been reviewed
committees and trade associations to embrace both sustainable and technical
across Europe through our community of challenges. Not only has Ecocem always been part
of the evolving discussions but has also influenced
technical experts.
them to implement innovative options to meet the
Within such committees and associations, low carbon agenda.
Ecocem has been relentlessly working for the

Ethics & Governance

development and promotion of low-carbon According to the different countries’ regulation,
binders for concretes and mortars. Initially, the maximum quantity of GGBS that can be
Ecocem’s participation in these technical groups used can vary. Ecocem has been influencing
was largely focused on technical properties, technical discussions to demonstrate that a
developing a suitable argumentation to higher GGBS usage could significantly lower the Ecocem strives for a beneficial playing field for sustainable and durable solutions. Therefore, the
demonstrate that our technologies, based on carbon footprint of innovative solutions, while group also participates in committees that deal with new sustainable binder solutions other than
GGBS, were a perfect and reliable alternative still meeting technical criteria. Such progress in GGBS, such as natural pozzolans, steel slag, limestone fillers, fly ash, concrete fines, etc. One of the
to be used in hydraulic binders, concretes, concrete manufacturing can be seen through the core objectives of Ecocem representation has been to develop ternary products which are solutions
and mortars. “engineered concrete” approach of France and based on different sources of secondary cementitious materials, according to their carbon footprint,
the “equivalent performance based” approach of technical performance, availability, and cost.
Over the past few years, the focus of these many European markets.
committees has moved towards the contribution Ecocem’s strategy is to accompany the normalisation of low carbon innovative solutions,
introducing them in the existing regulatory structure.

Environment
In France, Ecocem takes part in the French cement standardisation committee, the
concrete standardisation committees and the sustainable development committees.
Many of these committees are mirror groups for influential technical committees at a
European level.

In Belgium and the Netherlands, Ecocem is actively participating in (pre)

standardisation committees for concrete, cement, binders and additions. As an
illustration, within the Dutch study association for Concrete Technology (Stutech)
Ecocem contributes to studying topics related to suitability and durability. Ecocem
also participates in the mirror groups of many European Technical Committees as well
as directly in new European working groups on decarbonisation.

In the UK, Ecocem is a member of Materials Product Association (MPA) and hold a

Community
seat on the technical committee of the Cementitious Slag Makers Association. The
company is also active in the Institute of Concrete Technology.

In Ireland, Ecocem holds council positions in the Irish Concrete Society Council and
the Irish Concrete Federation Technical Committee and actively participates in the
Institute of Engineers Ireland, holding committee positions in the Structures and
Construction Division and the Women in Engineering Society. Our team participates
in many NSAI Technical committees such as Concrete Durability and Circularity of
Construction products, taking up national representation positions on the European
Technical Committee for Sustainability in Construction Working Groups.
Environment
• The cement industry generates around 2.5Gt of CO2,
equivalent to 7% of the global total

• The European Commission is proposing to cut net

greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and
carbon neutral by 2050

• Collectively, buildings in the EU are responsible for 39%

of greenhouse gas emissions, which mainly stem from
construction, usage, renovation and demolition.
34 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 35

Environment Green House Gas Emissions 2020

Workplace
Green House Gas Emissions 2020 Performance
Ecocem successfully saved an additional 3.1 million tonnes of CO2 since 2018.

Ecocems growth over the past two years has saved 3.1 million tonnes of carbon emissions from 403,071
12,757,983 12.5 million tonnes
the cement industry through innovative low carbon solutions and new products. In the past tonnes of Carbon
tonnes of carbon produced by CO2 saving
ten years Ecocem has saved an astonishing 12.5 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere produced from Ecocem GGBS
across Europe. As our production continues to increase our focus must turn to our supply chain equivalent CEM I
emissions and ensuring we are using the most efficient and low carbon transport and material production
handling methods. We have expanded our scope 3 emissions reporting to include business 2020 Target
travel and waste to maximise the impact we can make on our overall group emissions. The

Ethics & Governance

improvements we have made since beginning our sustainability journey are evidenced by our
improved B rating in the Carbon Disclosure Project. 14 million tonnes
CO2

Circularity in the business model SDG Goals:

The circularity of our business Concrete is the most commonly product is solely resulting
model is in using waste product used material in construction from its processing and
from the steel industry and due to its high performance transport. We offset any carbon
processing it to create new and durability. However, it’s associated with raw material by
products to be returned to the high embodied carbon from its using a by-product from steel
construction industry. This is cement content (OPC) has made manufacturing. Our raw product
becoming more important with its use unsustainable. GGBS with is dried using natural gas at our Target: 89% Achieved
the European Commission’s a low embodied carbon acts as plant in Dunkirk. In our efforts

Environment
push for industry transformation an alternative to 100% OPC. to lower our carbon footprint
towards climate- neutrality. The embodied carbon of our and in keeping with our circular
business model Ecocem
France and ArcelorMittal have Environmental impact of Products
developed a method of reusing
waste Blast furnace Gas in place
of natural gas. Waste CO2 from Group Carbon per Tonne 2020 Group Carbon per Tonne 2019
their blast furnace is converted
into a synthetic gas and
transported to our connecting
plant, where it is used to dry the
raw GBS.
34.8 Kg 43 Kg
While this does not lower CO2-eq CO2-eq

Community
the embodied carbon of our 2020 Target
product, it eliminates fossil
fuel use and reuses waste
products that would otherwise
be burnt into the atmosphere.
Through this initiative, Ecocem
France has saved 71.8Mill KwH 5% Reduction
Drying & Internal Transport Grinding Waste & Shipping
of natural gas from use and Scope 1 Scope 2 Scope 3

14,700T of CO2 emissions.

36 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 37

Our Journey with the CDP Our Journey with the CDP

Workplace
Carbon Disclosure Project - CDP Performance
Through In 2018 the Ecocem
Group carried out a major
mechanisms and adjusted the
scope of our emissions reporting.

CDP Score 2018 CDP Score 2020

Understanding your Score Report disclosure to reassessment of our submission These improvements results in
to the Carbon Disclosure the Ecocem Group moving from
the CDP, we Project, stepping back from a D rating to an impressive B
disclosing for a year to realign rating within the CDP showing
D
Ecocem received a B which
is in the Management band. have a greater our business process with our commitment to sustainability

B
This is higher than the regional
average of C for Europe, and
same as the Cement &
awareness of our business vision. We used
the best practice guidelines
leadership.

our impact and

concrete sector average of B.
from the Taskforce for Climate Through disclosure to the CDP,

Ethics & Governance

Related Financial Disclosures we have a greater awareness
our climate- (TCFD) to develop our baseline of our impact and our climate-
of disclosure and invested related risks and opportunities.
related risks and

”
in training and development This allows us to act strategically
Average Performance
opportunities of our sustainability team.
Following the implementation
in an increasingly unpredictable
market. Regular board-level
Leadership (A/A-): Implementing current best practices
of the TCFD recommendations oversight of our reduction
B C C Management (B/B-): Taking coordinated action on climate issues
within our business strategy, strategies and risk and
Awareness (C/C-): Knowledge of impacts on, and of, climate issues
we increased our board level opportunity register ensures that
Disclosure (D/D-): Transparent about climate issues oversight for sustainability, our targets are integral to our
Cement & Europe Global Average improved our reporting business strategy.
Concrete

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is “a global disclosure system that enables companies, cities,

Environment
states and regions to measure and manage their environmental impacts.” Through their focus on
building a sustainable economy which works for both people and the planet in the long term, The CDP
has developed the most comprehensive database on corporate and city action in the world.

The CDP believes that serious climate change prevention comes from climate scenario risks and
opportunities analysis within a company, as well as setting comprehensive carbon reduction targets.
“We believe that improving corporate awareness through measurement and disclosure is essential to
the effective management of carbon and climate change risk.”

31gt GHG emissions produced globally each year.

$5.5tn - estimated global market for low-carbon goods and services.
1.5°C is the threshold for dangerous global warming. Beyond this we risk severely destabilizing
social and economic structures across the world.

Community
$4tn worth of assets will be at risk from climate change by 2030.
$53bn worth of savings identified by companies responding to the CDP climate change program.

The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) develops guidelines for better
disclosure within a company. They believe that better information allows companies to “incorporate
climate-related risks and opportunities into their risk management and strategic planning process.” The
CDP is built on this premise and encourages following the TCFD guidelines through grading with the
aim of developing more sustainable and resilient business models.
 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 39

International Shipping Initiatives:

Workplace
The Third IMO GHG Study of 2014 estimated that from the period of 2007 – 2021, shipping contributed
3.1% of annual global CO2 emissions. It is currently estimated that this could rise to 10% of global
emissions by 2050 if the industry continues in a business-as-usual scenario and does not follow a plan for
decarbonisation. Under the Paris Agreement of 2015, parties are required to establish economy wide
emission reduction targets with shipping clearly being a part of many countries’ economies. This has put
pressure on the IMO to lead the charge in helping the shipping industry in reducing emissions.

Ethics & Governance

Supply Chain Spotlight

Shipping is an integral part of Ecocems supply chain across Europe. On average, shipping makes
up just under a third of our carbon footprint per tonne of material. Because of its significant impact
on our business, our shipping and logistics team are constantly working on new developments
and more efficient options along with our shipping partners.

Environment
Ecocem has continued to utilise small vessels – possible going forward for transport of Ecocem raw IMO2020 – Reducing sulphur levels to 0.5% in fuel on all ships worldwide. In effect since
coasters and barges for our transport of raw and materials and finished products. The propulsion January 2020.
finished materials in the Eurozone over the period system in these vessels use the most up to date
of the last number of years and will continue to use technology’s including improved aerodynamic hull IMO2030 / IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy – 2008 levels of emissions to be reduced
these methods going forward. We are, however, and propeller designs that effectively reduce CO2 by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. This agreement is currently being negotiated by stake
working with and encouraging our shipping emissions relative to the vessels they replace. holders. This will set out short-, medium- and long-term measures for the industry to meet
partners to utilise new technologies in their vessels the targets by 2030 and 2050.
when they are updating and replacing vessels in In Holland we continue to use the inland waterways
their fleets. to transport our raw materials to the plant at Moerdijk IMO EEDI – Energy Efficiency Design Index. This was first approved in 2011 and applies to
using barges. This method of transport reduces
all ships entering service since 2013. The index requires new ships to become more energy
In the past and currently, Ecocem continues to use emissions by a quantifiable amount in comparison
efficient with standards that will be made more stringent over time. This states that vessels
planning software to load full cargoes at all times to using coasters. There are some developments
built between 2015 and 2019 must have a 10% improvement in efficiency, vessel built

Community
to minimise ship movements and also plan our in electric powered barges and use of biofuels that
between 2020 and 2024 must reach 15-20% and vessels delivered after 2025 achieve a
personnel shoreside accordingly so as to have the could become viable in the years to come.
loading and discharging operations in Port run as 30% rise in efficiency.
smoothly and as quickly as possible to minimise the All of our shipping partners apply a sustainability
time the vessel is berthed. strategy to reduce their CO2 footprint. In Slow Steaming – It is understood and agreed by the shipping industry that a reduction
collaboration with their stakeholders, they aim to in steaming times can reduce emissions and therefore vessels do not steam on full power
Since 2014, Ecocem’s shipping partners have been use transition fuels where possible to reduce when able. It is reported by the IMO that a 10% reduction in speed can lead to a 27%
upgrading their fleet options by introducing new emissions for the transition period towards carbon reduction in emissions.
builds with better environmental performance. neutral shipping.
These new vessels will be utilised as much as
40 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 41

Project Spotlight Project Spotlight

Workplace
New market application in Ireland: Soils & Sediments Expanded export capacity at Ecocem’s Moerdijk Plant

One of the most exciting growth areas within

Ecocem is in the stabilisation of soils and
Ecocem GGBS has already Our Ecocem site in Moerdijk has a quay with direct open sea water connection. A new 5kt silo has been
built directly at this quay, with facilities to load GGBS into barges and vessels from 350tons to 4500
sediments. Traditionally, contaminated or been successfully utilised tons. Before these facilities were operational, barges and vessels were loaded by trucking the material
unsuitable soils were transported away from sites to a special loading dock situated ca. 10 km from the factory. With these direct loading facilities ca.
and disposed of as landfill. More suitable soil was on several projects 750 single trips with large bulk trucks are saved per annum, that is 7,500 truck kilometres, a great CO2
then located and imported to the site, significantly saving of 4.8 tCO2e.
increasing project-related traffic to and from
the site. Aside from the obvious disruption that The strategic location of the new Silo gives Ecocem the possibility to use water transport more

Ethics & Governance

high frequency, heavy traffic would cause, the frequently, and so taking more truck movements from the congested highway network.
additional CO2 that is generated by this traffic can Test results have shown that GGBS can replace
be enormous. between 50-80% of cement and enhance all of the
main performance criteria, while at the same time
The method of improving and stabilising significantly reducing the embodied carbon. Images show Inauguration of the new
unsuitable soils on site, is not new, but with the 5,000T Silo 3 in Moerdijk Plant in the
focus now firmly on sustainability, it has been Ecocem GGBS has already been successfully utilised presence of customers, journalists
gaining significant traction in recent years. on several projects, including high profile sites and the Ecocem Team allowing direct
at Limerick Gasworks and Howth Harbour, but as loading of our GGBS into ships
Ecocem has identified several benefits of relative newcomers to this sector, there is a very real
incorporating GGBS into stabilisation projects. potential for sizeable growth.

Environment
Community
Community
• Community engagement is important because it is
primarily, part of a dialogue where organisations and
communities can make decisions to create social capital.

• Millennials are twice as likely to be very satisfied with their

career progression when they have the opportunity to
volunteer through their employer.

• Survey results indicate that creating a culture of

volunteerism in the workplace may boost morale,
workplace atmosphere, and brand perception.
44 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 45

Community Community Engagement Spotlight

Workplace
Supporting our local communities and contributing to its resilience by adding social value through Rebecca’s Internship Story
employment, charitable donations and employee wellbeing programs is very important to Ecocem.
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, internships were reduced from 4 to 1. My internship at Ecocem started ahead of my undergrad
at UCD. In conjunction with the sustainability focus I
Despite being a challenging year was involved in, this introduction to the concrete
globally, Group donations in 2020 industry gave me a solid basis to starting a degree in
surpassed 25% target. Architecture. It allowed me to focus my study on areas of
sustainable design with practical knowledge of how this
Well-being programs are in place can be achieved with existing products.
across 100% of sites, ensuring

Ethics & Governance

all round health of our talented I was supported throughout my internship by all levels
workforce to continue contributing of management through engagement, daily mentoring
to delivery of group strategy and and attending conferences with senior managers.
company objectives. My internship was heavily focused on the carbon
measurement and reporting. I subsequently based my
During the COVID-19 related second-year project on the carbon measurement and
lockdowns, innovative measures reporting and how it could be implemented in a shared
were introduced to ensure living facility focusing on Nzeb and sustainable design.
uninterrupted product supply to Using what I had learnt about the carbon measurement
essential projects using GGBS such and reporting and how measuring and managing carbon
as hospitals. emissions can help a company set tangible targets and
implement reduction strategies led my design.

I have subsequently returned to Ecocem ahead of my master’s in Architecture as I hope to focus on

Environment
sustainable design. Working for a company that was formed off the back of carbon reduction and
alongside people with a passion for making change at industry, governmental, and European level
will stay with me as I move forward into my studies.

Community Performance
The Concrete Bench
A beautiful project for Ecocem France and
Cemex, combining humanitarian efforts
and recycling. Concrete benches made
Local Community/Charity Development from recycled materials and Ecocem
GGBS were made by high school students
Current Performance and their civil engineering professor. The
money earned by the school through

Community
55% Increase 50% of Sites the sale of these benches was used to
1 Internship
in 2020
in financial support to with active community finance the participation of about fifteen
local charities engagement programs students in a humanitarian project with
the association “eu Soleil in 2020/2021.
2020 Target

1 Internship +25% Increase 100% of Sites

in financial support to with active community
in 2020
local charities engagement programs
46 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 Ecocem Sustainability Report 2020 47

Community Engagement Spotlight Spotlight on Ecocem Projects

Workplace
HS2
CRC School Aged High-Speed 2 (HS2) is the second purpose-
built high-speed railway system in the
Disability Team (SADT) United Kingdom, after HS1, built in the
Ecocem Ireland donate to the CRC School mid 2000s, connecting London with the
Aged Disability Team (SADT) each year. This Channel Tunnel. HS2 is by far the biggest
year’s chosen charity is the CRC School Aged infrastructure over the last 50 years in the
Disability Team (SADT) – a unit that provides UK, with over 500km of line length (5 times
interdisciplinary services and supports the size of HS1) and requiring close to £90
to parents with children with disabilities– billion in investments.
specifically based around Autism, Enhancing

Ethics & Governance

each family’s capacity to support their child’s
HS2 will link UK’s largest cities, London,
development and to enable their active
participation in community life.
Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, as
well as upgrade current stations in each city.

The HS2 presents a double opportunity for Ecocem. Thanks to its strong UK network, Ecocem has
Stelvio for Life secured direct supply contract with Eiffage (Central Section 1, 2 and 3), and indirect supply contracts
(via Cemex) for Northern (N1) and Southern (S1 and 2) Sections. Total GGBS need is 200kT over 5
Goes on... René Albers and Jeroen Langenberg
participated in the Stelvio for Life event. Both years. Similarly, the creation of the HS2 innovation fund will facilitate the introduction of Ecocem’s
cycled up the 21km long and steep (up to max 14 new high value technologies including alkali-activated, ultra-low carbon cement and shotcreting
%!!) Stelvio in the Italian Alps, a sponsored event to technology like Ecoshot.
raise money for personalised cancer treatment.

Environment
The Grand Paris Express
Since 2017 Ecocem has built a strong working relationship with project owners Société du Grand
Paris (SGP) and their technical team, contributing to the launch of a new set of concrete standards
in 2019. The new concrete standards promotes the increased use of GGBS in the concrete formulas
in order to achieve low carbon and technical objectives including sulphate resistance. Since the
inauguration of the Dunkirk plant in July 2018, Ecocem France has supplied every single section
Engineers awarded: L16L01, L16L02, L17L01, L18L01 and L18L02. This represents over 50 000T of Ecocem
GGBS delivered for concrete design mixes. The project is expected to continue until 2030 and
without require over 5 million m³ of concrete.

borders
Ireland

Community
Susan McGarry joined a
team of volunteers building
homes in Zambia as part of
an initiative by ‘Engineers
without Borders Ireland’.
The multidisciplinary team
comprised professionals and
students from around Ireland.
Innovation Powering Sustainability

A: Ecocem Materials, Block F1, Eastpoint Business

Park, Dublin, D03 E0CO, Ireland

T: IRL +353 (0)1 678 1800

UK +44 (0) 845 434 8191

E: info@ecocem.ie
W: www.ecocem.ie