H.C. Starck has received certification for processing ‘conflict-free’ tantalum raw materials for the fifth time in a row.
The corresponding audit was performed by the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), an independent organization, and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) as part of the Conflict Free Smelter Program (CFSP).
‘Fair and responsible purchasing of raw materials from conflict-free sources is an unshakeable principle of our raw materials strategy,’ said Dr. Andreas Meier, CEO of H.C. Starck. ‘We are delighted to have received this certification for the fifth year in a row. It proves that our strategy of focusing on sustainability in procurement of raw materials is the right one.
‘Sustainability in the supply of raw materials is also expressed in one of our core competencies: recycling of technology metals,’ Dr. Meier continued. ‘We use innovative methods to process production residue, slag, and scrap into high-quality, high-performance metal powders. Our goal in doing this is to make a significant contribution to practices of sourcing raw materials sustainably and with reduced environmental impact.’ H.C. Starck says that it fully endorses the position of the EICC and the OECD not to purchase, process, or resell any raw materials used to finance or benefit armed groups. The company actively supports its customers in fulfilling their duties of care and disclosure in line with the guidelines issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. H.C. Starck is a member of the ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative (iTSCi), which has developed a due diligence system to bring transparency to procurement of raw materials from conflict areas and regularly checks to ensure that member companies are implementing it.
This story uses material from H.C. Starck with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.