Sustainability

Cement production is an inherently carbon intensive process, primarily driven by the base chemical reaction resulting from the decarbonisation of limestone. This contributes around 70% of the carbon emissions created from cement production.

Like other cement manufacturers globally, we continue to investigate and monitor technologies to reduce these emissions that are created through this base limestone chemical reaction – however this is a longer-term approach and relies on advancements in technology to be achievable.

The combustion of thermal fuels to heat the raw materials contributes the other 30% of our emissions footprint and is where our short term opportunities to reduce process emissions.

For over 15 years we have used up to 30% Biofuel from demolition timber waste, treated timber waste, sawmill waste and landfill timber diversion. This is the most significant factor in having the lowest carbon emissions per tonne of cement of the available sources in NZ. When comparing carbon emissions against other cement plants worldwide once again our performance is best practice.

Golden Bay Cement leads the industry in Australasia by publishing the first Environmental Product Declarations for cement and holding third party Environmental certification with Environmental Choice and Declare.

Our NZ made cement has been independently assessed to demonstrate a 20% lower carbon emissions per tonne of cement than our import competitors*

_{^{*Golden Bay Cement EPD 2019 vs Holcim NZ Cement EPD 2019}}

Understanding the environmental impacts of a building is increasingly important to designers and architects, and to their customers. Golden Bay Cement are making it easier for these professionals to choose the right product through voluntarily publishing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for what we make. EPD's are leading practice in environmental transparency – they detail the environmental impact of a product over its full life cycle and are independently verified.

Our next step along our alternative fuels strategy is to introduce Tyre Derived Fuel. This will further replace coal by up to another 30% and allow Golden Bay Cement to be part of a sustainable solution to reduce tyres that are illegally dumped or sent to landfills within New Zealand.

We continue to assess the use of further alternative fuel sources as part of our overall strategy to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Currently the most attractive means to reduce the amount of emissions for Golden Bay Cement and the industry is to use an increased amount of Supplementary Cementing Materials (SCM) in cement and/or concrete.

Current availability of ‘man made’ SCMs such as Fly Ash or Blast Furnace Slag is ever decreasing as demand increases which also drive up the cost of these materials. To put it into perspective there are 5 billion tonnes cement produced annually and only 500 million tonnes fly-ash produced annually and 250 million tonnes of water-quenched GBFS produced annually.

These synthetic SCMs may help us in the short term to address demand for lower carbon cement and concrete but we believe the most sustainable solution to this lies within NZs abundance of volcanic ash resources available in NZ. Golden Bay Cement are currently investigating these resources to form part of our longer term strategy.

We are committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace for everyone who works with us at Golden Bay Cement.

We believe that everyone deserves to be protected from harm. To help us get there we are constantly looking at what we’re doing that’s working, what’s not working and where we can do better.

Nothing in Golden bay Cement is more important than getting everyone home safely each and every day.

We are increasing our focus on the personal health and wellbeing of our people, recognising the two-way relationship between work and personal health.

Our internal survey has high Participation and engagement rates which tells us our people are invested in how we are doing as a company and they want to contribute to this. Our challenge is to maintain this high level.

We are driven to have a positive impact on the world around us and be a good neighbour.

Golden Bay Cement recognises and acknowledges the kaupapa (values and vision) of iwi and hapu of the communities in which we operate. These values include Rangatiratanga: seeking opportunities to develop self-determination of tangata whenua through mana Atua, Mana Tupuna and mana Whenua; and Kaitiakitanga: the responsibility of protecting the environment for future generations.

Golden Bay Cement is committed to working with tangata whenua to support the development of sustainable values of both parties, in an environment of manaakitanga: elevating prestige through generosity and mutual respect; to achieve cultural, environmental, social and economic aspirations. This commitment is reflected in the Te Hononga/relationship agreement Golden Bay Cement has with Te Pouwhenua o Tiakiriri Kukupa Trust (Pouwhenua), who represent several iwi groups in the South Whangarei area, Ngai Tahuhu – Ngati Tu, Ngati Whatua and Ngato Ruangaio.

From Pouwhenua’s perspective the relationship agreement allows for issues and concerns of future development are addressed, and methods are done so with cultural sensitivity. Golden Bay Cement is committed to providing opportunities for Pouwhenua to reconnect to their rohe, support environmental initiatives and develop a mātauranga Maori monitoring programme. The Te Hononga is intended to provide a pathway to enable and maintain the long-term aspirations of Pouwhenua to be achieved and align with the ongoing development of our operations.