Our Commitment to
sustainable development

 

In 2014, Saint-Gobain Abrasives launched its new sustainability plan aligned with our business values and vision. This 5 point plan of operational policies and practices underpins our commitment to sustainable development as a global leader. We have made significant progress in advancing sustainability with a number of major accomplishments in each area which we have detailed below. 

 


 

We will offer powerful, precise and user friendly solutions, which will enable our customers to shape and surface-finish all types of materials even in the most complex and challenging applications.

Pursue an ambitious policy to constantly improve workplace health & safety

 


In our abrasives plants safety is our number one priority: lost time accidents have reduced fivefold in 10 years


All operators individually assessed at least three times per annum through the SMAT program (Senior Management Audit Tool)
- 33,480 individual SMAT’s conducted worldwide in 2014


66,969 hours of training worldwide on Saint-Gobain Safety Standards in 2014


Reduction of workplace hardship: exposure to noise, repetitive tasks, safety, ergonomics


Reduction of exposure to chemicals


Annual worldwide EHS day


Sustainability 2

Continuously encourage the personal development of our employees

 


Saint-Gobain named as Top Employer 2015 for third consecutive year


Special focus on diversity, training and career management


Abra+ gives specific exposure of our young talents to senior management


60+ training courses proposed by Saint-Gobain Abrasives University and Saint-Gobain Training


Systematic employee satisfaction surveys


Sustainability 3

Be a responsible & sustainable player internationally & within our local communities

 


Founder member of FEPA and oSa, actively promoting the safety of abrasives


Sustainable development policies audited by VERITAS


Sponsors of local communities through initiatives such as social mobility, heating of local schools


Extensive roll out of international standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001


Internal training & certification based on the following safety standards:

EN12413: 1999 ( BA)     EN13743: 2002 ( CA)     EN13236: 2001 (SA)     EN13236: 2001 (DB)


Saint-Gobain is an endorser of the Caring for Climate statement and the CEO Water Mandate for Water Resource Protection (as part of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals)


Third party supplier charters, timber regulations, CSR evaluations and audits, Adhere process, minerals policy


Saint-Gobain is a member of the United Nations Global Compact


Sustainability 4

Minimize the environmental footprint of our operations with five priorities

 


Increase the energy efficiency of our production


Increase the use of recycled raw materials in our plants


Reduce our CO2 emissions


Optimize our water resources


Strict waste segregation policy


Sustainability 5

Continuously develop eco-valorized
products
bringing additional value to
our customers

 


The first abrasives manufacturer to produce FSC® products


Use of natural resins and recycled grains


High-performance abrasive products & solutions that help to reduce environmental impact and user exposure:

• low noise

• low vibration

• low dust