Environment in foundry - Environmental management

Environmental concerns are increasingly at the heart of decisions made by consumers, businesses and even some governments. The degradation of natural resources associated with economic activities is a phenomenon that has taken on considerable proportions, especially since the 2000s. As a result, ecological concerns have gradually become a strategic issue for most companies.

Foundries must make commitments to respect the environment, under the combined effect of a legislative and regulatory framework and voluntary initiatives. In addition to complying with the legislative framework, a majority of foundries are implementing voluntary actions to reduce their impact on the environment. In a context of increasing competition, companies are faced with the emergence of new challenges to which they must be able to respond appropriately. They are becoming aware that the economy as a whole depends, directly or indirectly, on the sound management of natural resources and the environment, biodiversity and the proper functioning of ecosystems. To achieve this, foundries must first recognize the effects of their activities on the living world.

Foundries are an integral part of the local communities in which they operate. Their success depends not only on their industrial and commercial activities, but also on maintaining good relations with the individuals and institutions that surround them. The steps most frequently taken by foundries in favor of the environment concern the production process, to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions of all kinds, particularly greenhouse gases.

However, environmental issues are no longer seen simply as external constraints to which companies must respond, but also as opportunities to improve their day-to-day activities, control their impact on the living world and gain social legitimacy. Their commitment to sustainable development means combining performance and responsibility. Financial performance is no longer sufficient to assess the performance of an industrial entity. In recent years, the focus has shifted from financial performance to more global approaches that include social and environmental dimensions. Stakeholders have come to the fore, and as a result, the long-term viability of companies no longer depends solely on the financial aspect of their activities, but also on the way they conduct themselves. As a result, the responsibility of foundries has broadened: it is no longer limited to shareholders alone, but includes other stakeholders (associations, NGOs, trade unions, customers, suppliers, etc.). Foundries are part of a global ecosystem.

In order to reconcile these different, sometimes antagonistic, challenges, foundries establish a management strategy that enables them...