Borçelik Gemlik Becomes First ResponsibleSteel Certified Site In Turkey

Borçelik’s Gemlik site has become the first in Turkey to become certified against the ResponsibleSteel International Standard. Borçelik, a joint venture of Borusan Holding and ArcelorMittal, is Turkey’s biggest galvanized flat steel producer.

Borçelik became a ResponsibleSteel member in 2020, joining ArcelorMittal and many other of the world’s leading steel producers. ResponsibleSteel currently has around 15% of global steelmaking capacity in membership. The Gemlik site has a production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes and employs over 1000 workers and contractors.

ResponsibleSteel’s CEO, Annie Heaton, commented, “This first ResponsibleSteel certification of a site in Turkey demonstrates Borcelik’s drive to be a leader in the Turkish steel industry, and more importantly, the company’s commitment to implementing the most rigorous criteria for sustainability. On an environmental level, the company has committed to achieving net zero by 2050 and the site already has several energy efficiency projects as well as wind and solar plants in the works to support this journey. The site has gone above and beyond to minimise environmental impacts including setting up its own water stewardship project to monitor water efficiency and prevent future scarcity while on a human level, the site has demonstrated a deep commitment to ensuring workers’ rights and safety and equality in the workplace.”

The site achieved certification following an independent audit conducted by CARES against Version 1.1. of the Standard. In addition to the site’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact, the site’s social governance was identified as a particular strength. Throughout the audit, the site repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to worker safety, growth and development.

Kerem Çakır, General Manager of Borçelik, stated that Borçelik has achieved significant progress towards the company’s sustainability goals. Çakır commented, “As one of the leading and pioneering institutions of our industry, we have been committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. We are very proud that the presence of this approach in all our business applications is confirmed with the ResponsibleSteel certification and we have achieved another first in our country with the certificate that we were awarded. As a responsible industry leader, we aim to inspire change in the steel industry and contribute to a more sustainable world in all areas.”

Serkan Ürkmez, Borçelik Sustainability Leader, added, “As Borçelik, we had undergone a very intense preparation period to comply with ResponsibleSteel standards. We worked together with our Sustainability Committee. The standard’s environmental and social expectations are really challenging. After this preliminary stage, we successfully completed a detailed and challenging 14-day audit process conducted by the leading independent audit firm UK CARES. At the end of this process, we are happy to be the first ResponsibleSteel site-certified institution in our country. We will continue to be an exemplary institution in our industry with our activities.”

Take a look at the audit summary here or read the press release here.