AfriSam has achieved another significant milestone in its history by becoming the first construction materials company to sign the 49M pledge.
The 49M campaign is an Eskom initiative which was launched in South Africa in March last year as a response to the country’s constrained power system, climate change, the recent economic downturn and rising electricity costs.
It encourages individuals and corporate to lead energy smart lifestyles thereby saving the planet and their pockets.
The decision to sign up to the campaign by AfriSam signifies the company’s commitment to the global agenda for energy efficiency and to playing a proactive role in contributing to energy saving across South Africa.
AfriSam’s Chief Executive Officer Stephan Olivier said: “In 2005, we became a signatory to the Energy Accord and in 2008 our company was named the National Business Initiative’s Energy Efficiency winner in recognition of electrical energy savings. Between 2000 and 2011 AfriSam reduced specific electrical energy consumption by 18 percent.
“We understand and view the impact of our actions on the community and the environment very seriously and we strive to utilise natural resources in a deliberate way, with the objective of sustaining these resources for the use of future generations.”
AfriSam has recorded several significant milestones, including major equipment upgrades at its operations to reduce electrical energy consumption.
One of the most notable of these has been the installation of an energy efficient Vertical Roller Mill at the company’s Rodepoort operation in 2008. This mill was commissioned at a 20 percent higher cost than conventional technology and has since achieved a 24 percent reduction in electrical energy.
Olivier said the 49M pledge signing is a natural step for AfriSam as the initiative’s objectives form part of the company’s overall corporate goals.
He said: “The signing of this pledge is yet another milestone in our journey to sustainability which we began many years ago and continue to improve on in our quest to operate our business as a responsible corporate citizen.”
To date 49M has signed more than 70 partners. These include Santam, Spintellingent, MTN, Samsung, MassMart and Standard Bank.
Source :africanbusinessreview.co.za
