CSR MANIFEST
WE INVEST IN THE ENVIRONMENT
A healthy environment is the condition to all life and activity. At Sioen, we want to contribute to solving
the challenges our environment faces today: climate change, search for alternative sources of energy,
use of less raw material, reduction of waste and emissions, a.o.
PROTECTION THROUGH INNOVATION
OUR BUSINESS
IN BRIEF
Annual results 2014
MILLION EUR
(%)
Net sales
326.6
+1.1
EBT
23.8
+19.8
EBITDA
48.8
+19.4
Group profit
16.5
+15.5
Proposed dividend
0.37
FTE
3 477
2000-2014 sales (in €m)
350
300
250
200
150
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
100
2014 sales breakdown by division
Chemicals:
12.0%
2
Apparel:
32.2%
Coating:
55.8%
* Figures are from 31/12/2014. The figures of 2015 will be available in the next annual report end of March 2016.
manifest will be adapted accordingly.
CSRThis
MANIFEST
WHO WE ARE IN
3 DIVISIONS
COATING
DIVISION
World market leader in technical textiles
55.8%
677
9
TOTAL COMPANY
SALES
PERSONS
COMPANIES
4
in
COUNTRIES
SPINNING, WEAVING, COATING, FINISHING
This division focuses on yarns, woven fabrics, felts and coated technical fabrics.
APPAREL
DIVISION
European market leader in technical clothing
32.3%
2 648
11
TOTAL COMPANY
SALES
PERSONS
COMPANIES
8
in
COUNTRIES
INNER TO OUTER / MULTILAYER SPECIALIST
This division specializes in high quality protective clothing for any working condition.
CHEMICALS
DIVISION
Specialist in fine chemicals
12.0%
152
2
TOTAL COMPANY
SALES
PERSONS
COMPANIES
2
in
COUNTRIES
PASTES, INKS & VARNISHES, INKS FOR LARGE FORMAT
DIGITAL PRINTING DIY COLOURING SOLUTIONS
* Figures are from 31/12/2014. The figures of 2015 will be available in the next annual report end of March 2016.
This manifest will be adapted accordingly.
CSR MANIFEST
3
WHERE YOU
MAY FIND US
If you run into one of the following items, there is a good chance that the technical textile has
been produced by Sioen’s Coating Division. Or if you encounter the following people (some
encounters less happy than others!) their protective clothing or workwear may well have come
from Sioen’s Apparel Division. In both cases, and for third party products too, the speciality
pastes and pigments colouring them may have been produced by Sioen’s Chemicals Division.
COATING DIVISION
YARNS, WOVEN FABRICS, FELT AND COATED TEXTILES ARE USED FOR:
ADVERTISING
TRUCK
STABLE
PLAYGROUND
FLEXI
TANKS
GEOTEXTILES
BIOGAS
OILBOOM
CIPP
WIND
BREAK
ROOFING
PATCH
SPORTS­MAT
INSULATION
TENSILE
ARCHITECTURE
CAMPING
FACADE
AUTOMOTIVE
4
CSR MANIFEST
TEABAG
APPAREL DIVISION
CLOTHING IS WORN BY:
FIRE FIGHTERS
POLICE FORCES
MARITIME
WORKERS
FORESTERS
FOOD PROCESSORS
FOR MORE INFORMATIONS
ON THE PRODUCTS,
CHECK OUR WEBSITE
WWW.SIOENAPPAREL.COM
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
FARMERS
OR CHECK PAGE 13
FOR MORE INFOS
CHEMICAL DIVISION
PRODUCTS SOLD OUTSIDE OF SIOEN INCLUDE:
INKS FOR WALLPAPER AND
LAMINATED FLOORING
ANTI-GRAFFITI
VARNISH
PIGMENT PASTES
FOR COLOURING
FABRICS, FLOOR
AND WALL COVERINGS
DIGITAL PRINTER INKS
DIY PAINT REMOVERS
AND CLEANING
AGENTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR
MARKETS, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE
WWW.SIOENCHEMICALS.COM
OR CHECK PAGE 13 FOR MORE INFOS.
CSR MANIFEST
5
CEO SPEAKING
“protection through innovation”
Dear Reader,
At Sioen, we recognize all different cultures and embrace a variety of
values within our global organization. We respect all cultures and the
diverse nature of our workforce and customers.
We deem certain principles to be universal: we
expect all our suppliers and manufacturing both
in Europe and overseas to adhere the following
principles and to demand the same from their
suppliers and subcontractors.
Sioen is committed to the conduct of an ethical
business on all levels by acting fairly and honestly
in all our dealings and by observing the highest
standards of integrity. To achieve these, Sioen
utilizes the shareholders’ investments in a sensitive manner while delivering safe and quality
products to our clients. We comply with both the
spirit and the letter of legislation and submit all
our actions to an external audit.
INSURANCE
We aim to provide our customers with products
that provide not only a quality guarantee but that
ensure fair and ethical business. That’s why Sioen
demands the same high standards and ethical
engagement of all its suppliers.
THIRD PART LIABILITY
Sioen is insured – as per the terms and conditions of the insurance policy - for Public and
Product Liability, Bodily Injury and Property
damage combined.
SUPPLIER SELECTION
We ask our suppliers for a declaration that their
companies know, support and have taken all
necessary measures in order to be compliant
with their legal obligations and they have to
6
CSR MANIFEST
commit to having verified the same with their
own suppliers. We also asked them to declare
that all actual and future products and deliveries
are in full compliance with all the restrictions in
all the below mentioned (European) Directives/
Legislation/ Standards:
• REACH Regulation 1907/2006 (REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction
of Chemicals)
• PPE Directive 89/686/EC and general PPE
standard EN340, §4.2
• EC Directive 67/548/EEC and amendments
• Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967
on the approximation of laws, regulations and
administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous
substances.
• EC Directive 76/769/EEC and amendments
• Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976
on the approximation of the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions of the Member
States relating to restrictions on the marketing
and use of certain dangerous substances and
• preparations.
• Azo colorants which release carcinogenic amines
listed in prEN 14362-1 shall not be detectable
by the method in that standard (reference EC
• Directive 2002/62/EC and amendments).
• Leather and textile products (cotton, …) shall
meet the requirement of EC Directive 91/173/
EC regarding Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
• Polymers shall also meet the requirement of
EC Directive 91/338/EC regarding Cadmium.
Sioen invests in a
sustainable society. In
business processes and
relationships, Sioen strives
to preserve and improve the
global environment through
a pro-active environmental
policy as explained in this
CSR Manifest. We are EN
ISO 9001 certified and our
apparel division is EN ISO
14001 certified.
• EU Directive 2006/122/EC restricts the use of
Per fluoroactane Sulfonates (PFOS) to less than
1 microgram per square meter in textiles and
other coated materials.
All our selected suppliers are subject to a strict
Vendor Rating System. The signing of a declaration regarding the respect and implementation
of our business principles is part of the vendor
selection and evaluation process.
Almost ¼ of our suppliers are ISO 14001, EU
ECO-label, Ökotex 1000, or equivalent certified
but a growing number can illustrate that they
have an Environmental Management Plan.
MAXIMUM USE OF ÖKOTEX 100 CERTIFIED AND RECYCLED MATERIALS IN
APPAREL
90% of the fabrics and trimmings that we use
for manufacturing clothes are already Ökotex
100 certified; which means that they are certified
to be harmless for their intended application
(meaning innocuousness of the used fabrics and
trimmings to the user).
Where the market allows it, we stimulate the use
of recycled raw materials. For instance, we use
recycled m-aramid felts as thermal barriers in our
basic firefighter range. We have a range of foul
weather protection clothing and fleeces which
are based on recycled PET materials. However,
for applications where there is a high risk involved
(body armour, high end firefighting PPE, … )
we still sense a strong reservation from the end
users towards recycled materials and questions
regarding origin traceability or liability. For the
moment, there are also strong technological limitations (for instance dying problems of recycled
raw materials versus EN 20471 fluorescence, …).
products: recycling of p-aramid fabrics and felts
of used body armour to be used as raw material
for p-aramid felts, 100% polyester fleeces and
rainwear (PES fabric, PES film, PES trims, ...) which
can be recycled as PES textiles and PET bottles
a.o.. A development project is running to use PU
which is based on partially recycled raw materials
in coated waterproof textiles.
We are very active in recycling in the production
process itself. Some examples:
• Solvent recycling by distillation at Sioen coating
plants. Solvent white spirit is used as cleaning
agent of paste barrels. After use, the solvent
is distilled and reused. The sediment after
distilling (a PVC residu) is sold as raw material
for the production of floor tiles amongst others.
• DMF, used as the main solvent in the transfer
coating process is being distilled and reused
in the production process.
• At the spinning mill, we recycle all our PET waste
and fabric waste and reuse it entirely as raw
material in our production process
• In the calendering process, all production
waste is being reused as raw material in the
production process.
• All packaging material is being recycled or
reused.
raw materials. In most of the cases, we control
the supply chain from fiber, over fabric, coating
and finishing.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
For our clothing products, we actively apply the
policy behind the SUCAM (Selection, Use, Care
and Maintenance) technical publications of CEN.
We stimulate our customers to have our products
washed, dried and disposed of by professional
cleaners, who are also more ‘professional’ regarding sustainability issues in the cleaning process
(use of water, energy, chemicals, etc… ).
These are just some examples. I invite you
to read more about who we are, what we do
and what we stand for in this CSR manifest.
“Protection through innovation” is our company
slogan and we want to live up to it in all its’ aspects.
You can also find additional information on our
website www.sioen.com of how we deliver safe
and quality products.
Kind regards,
TRACEABLE SUPPLY CHAIN
RECYCLING (COATED TEXTILES)
Sioen is actively trying to follow the latest technologies, possibilities and opportunities concerning
recyclable materials. Sioen is member of Vinylplus
and thus actively supports the Epcoat recycling
program. Examples of successful recyclable
The unique Work Order number from every produced batch (whether it is the garment production
batch printed on the garment label, and in some
cases the individual serial number of the piece, or
the coated fabric, the yarn, paste or ink), enables
us to trace back to the batch numbers of all used
Michele Sioen
CEO Sioen Industries
CSR MANIFEST
7
SIOEN AS
SOLUTIONS PROVIDER
Sioen as we know it today is a tightly interlocking group, with 30 companies in 14 countries.
We sell our products worldwide in over 80 countries. *
We handle the needs of our clients from
concept to product with additional service
and follow up. We handle the entire supply
chain from yarn to finished product and always
come up with the adequate solution for all
our customers.”
.
8
CSR MANIFEST
* Figures are from 31/12/2014. The figures of 2015 will be available in the next annual report end of March 2016.
This manifest will be adapted accordingly.
BELGIUM
871
PERSONS
6
PRODUCTION
PLANTS
6
SALES UNITS
EUROPE
471
PERSONS
6
PRODUCTION
PLANTS
9
SALES UNITS
TUNISIA
545
PERSONS
3
PRODUCTION
UNITS
2
SALES UNITS
ASIA
1 644
PERSONS
2
PRODUCTION
PLANTS
3
SALES UNITS
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR
SOLUTIONS, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE
SIOEN.COM
* Figures are from 31/12/2014. The figures of 2015 will be available in the next annual report end of March 2016.
This manifest will be adapted accordingly.
CSR MANIFEST
9
OUR
STAKEHOLDERS
Almost 20.000 persons already visited our headquarters the past 5 years: customers, suppliers,
shareholders, journalists and analysts, end users, NGOs, politicians, professors and students.
From all over the world, men and women, of different ages. Our stakeholders. Their input was
crucial to achieve the matrix below. We mapped the 20 most relevant topics.
1I CUSTOMERS
5I SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS
We provide our customers with high quality
products and services at competitive prices. We
have to meet our customers’ demands and win
and maintain customers’ trust.
We build partnerships and mutually beneficial
relationships with our suppliers and contractors
through transparent dialogue.
6I R&D PARTNERS
2I END USERS
We protect and equip our end users with high
quality conformant products.
We aim to engage in meaningful exchanges of
ideas with universities, professional associations
and think tanks, in order to design tomorrows
products. The dialogue we have with our R&D
partners is a crucial part of our innovation plan.
7I SOCIETY
Sioen companies work in a wide variety of changing social, political and economic environments.
We aim to do business by respecting laws, supporting human rights, respecting the environment
and by creating additional employment
3I EMPLOYEES
We offer our employees an attractive, safe and
healthy working environment where there is room
for personal development, creativity, responsibility
and career opportunities.
9
8
4I SHAREHOLDERS
We protect their investment and every year provide
them with an acceptable return.
7
6
QUALITY
OPEN INNOVATION
TAILOR-MADE
COST EFFICIENCY/ VALUE FOR MONEY
BASIC NEEDS
END-USER SAFETY & PROTECTION
WORKING CONDITIONS
CLIMATE & RENEWABLE ENERGY
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
WASTE REDUCTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
HUMAN RIGHTS
TRACEABILITY
EXPERTISE
STAKEHOLDERS’ EXPECTATIONS
SERVICE
5
4
3
2
1
RAW MATERIAL SCARCITY
SKILLS & COMPETENCES/ TRAINING & COACHING
OPEN DIALOGUE
0
TRANSPORT OF GOODS
10
1
2
3
4
5
SIOEN’S CONCERN
NO CORRUPTION
CSR MANIFEST
6
7
8
9
VISION, MISSION,
STRATEGY, VALUES
WHAT WE WANT TO BE
OUR VALUES
In line with our corporate slogan ‘Protection through Innovation’, we
want to be a market leader in selected sectors of the technical textiles
and technical apparel market, with an emphasis on the protection of
people and their assets.
It is fashionable today for business companies to proclaim their values, their
ethics and their corporate citizenship. Much of this is simply the ages-old
rules of good business: keeping one’s word, avoiding conflicts of interest,
abiding by financial and social legislation. Of particular importance to
Sioen’s business are:
HOW WE INTEND TO GET THERE
• by constant close contact and interaction with customers
• by cooperation with research centres, universities and other sources
of expertise
• by scanning existing and potential markets for new and innovative
applications
• by keeping a constant watch on new protective
standards and adapting rapidly to them
• by maintaining a fully equipped R&D and testing centre at Ardooie
• by an ‘everything is possible’ spirit
•C
ONFIDENTIALITY. Being trusted to protect and properly use confidential
and proprietary information, is vital to Sioen’s reputation.
• ANTI BRIBES. In certain areas in which we operate bribery is not uncommon. Sioen has made it very clear to our customers and employees that
this is unacceptable practice.
• NO CHILD LABOUR. We take care to ensure this happens neither in our
own plants, or those of our suppliers.
•H
ONEST PEOPLE DEALINGS. We recognize that, in today’s more fragmented world, the workplace is for many employees, a primary source
of personal stability and continuity. All the more reason to practise open
communication, listening to our employees’ wishes, aspirations and needs.
Protection through
innovation
CSR MANIFEST
11
MAIN ELEMENTS
OF OUR STRATEGY
Our strategy consists of doing things our own way in order to grow constantly. We strive for
growth, to be better every year. I want to shed a light on 5 major points of our strategy.
Doing it the Sioen way.
THE FIRST ELEMENT OF
OUR STRATEGY IS: R&D
Sioen is continually investing in research and
development. We ensure that innovative ideas
can grow and quickly find their way within the
group. We are constantly looking for new markets
that match our technical know-how. That is,
segments in which technical textiles can offer a
quality alternative to existing materials.
THE SECOND ELEMENT OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN IS: TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Wherever technical expertise is decisive, there
Sioen is strong. We continuously invest in it.
Know-how is one of Sioen’s great strengths. With
over 50 years in the business, we have more accumulated know-how of textile coating technology
and coated textile applications than any other
company in the world. No other single company
masters five different textile coating techniques.
No other company has as much experience and
knowledge of standards and rules. No other
company has experience of as many markets.
IN ADDITION, OUR THIRD ELEMENT OF
STRATEGY, BEING VERTICAL
INTEGRATION, MAKES US STRONGER
We manage the complete industrial chain, from
yarn to finished product. This gives us an edge
over our competitors, enabling us to respond
quickly to customer needs and making us less
dependent on external suppliers.
THE FOURTH ELEMENT IS OUR HANDSON, NON-BUREAUCRATIC CORPORATE
CULTURE
The Sioen style is direct and clear, and as such is
appreciated by customers and employees alike.
This allows new ideas to be implemented quickly.
and efficiently and contributes incontrovertibly
to innovation.
YARNS
THE FIFTH ELEMENT IS WORKING FOR
A BETTER TOMORROW
Sioen invests in a sustainable society. In business
processes and relationships. Sioen is committed
to the conduct of a an ethical business on all
levels. We invest in the environment and we
want to contribute to solving all challenges our
environment faces today: climate change, search
for alternative sources of energy, use of less raw
material, reduction of waste and emissions, a.o.
WOVEN
FABRICS
This know-how is gained through systematically
searching for solutions to practical problems, much
of the time in close cooperation with our customers. It is expanded by using existing know-how as
a basis for entering new markets. It is protected by
strong employee loyalty and motivation.
*
RAW
MATERIALS
Geotextile, ropes & hoses, offshore
mooring, conveyor, narrow fabrics,
coated fabrics.
12
CSR MANIFEST
Nautical, automotive,
protective & military, filtration, industrial
fabrics.
CHEMICALS
Pigment pastes, decorative
inks, varnish, inks for digital
printing
COATED
FABRICS
Truck & train, agriculture, bio-energy,
construction, industry, leisure & advertising.
APPAREL
Specific markets, professional market,
leisure market
We manage the complete
industrial chain, from yarn
to finished product.
This gives us an edge over
our competitors, enabling
us to respond quickly to
customer needs and making
us less dependent on
external suppliers.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONS ON VERTICAL
INTEGRATION, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE
SIOEN.COM
CSR MANIFEST
13
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CSR MANIFEST
OUR CORE VALUES
All Sioen companies have 4 core values integrity, fairness, honesty and respect
in all aspects of their business. In return, Sioen expects the same commitment and behaviour
from all its business partners.
1I FINANCIAL ETHICS
4I CONFIDENTIALITY
7I ETHICAL TRADING
All business transactions of Sioen must be integrated into the accounts of the company in
accordance with established procedures and laws.
The company’s financial accounts are subjected
to external audits.
All employees of Sioen must protect and properly
use confidential and proprietary information,
protect the rights of the company and respect
the rights of others.
Sioen is committed to the conduct of an ethical
business on all levels by acting fairly and honestly
in all our dealings and by observing the highest
standards of integrity. To achieve these, Sioen
utilises the shareholders’ investments in a sensitive manner while delivering safe and quality
products to our clients. We comply with both the
spirit and the letter of legislation and submit all
our actions to an external audit. We provide our
customers with products that provide not only
a quality guarantee but that ensure fair and
ethical business.
5I COMMUNICATION
2I CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
All employees must avoid conflicts of interest
between their private financial activities and
their conduct of company business.
Sioen has always practiced open communication. This keeps us in tune with people’s wishes,
aspira­tions and needs.
6I FREE ENTERPRISE
3I BRIBES
The offering, acceptance and payment of bribes
in whatever manner are unacceptable practices.
Sioen supports free enterprise. We seek to compete
on a fair and ethical basis and will not prevent
others from competing freely with us.
Sioen expect its suppliers to adopt similar principles to those described above. Not only do we
expect them to adhere to the above principles,
but also to demand the same from their suppliers
and sub-contractors.
CSR MANIFEST
15
(Y)OUR COMMITMENTS
Sioen is committed to the conduct of an ethical business on all levels by
acting fairly and honestly in all our dealings and by observing the highest
standards of integrity. To achieve these, our company utilises the shareholders’ investments in a sensitive manner while delivering safe and quality
products to our clients. We comply with both the spirit and the letter of
legislation and submit all our actions to an external audit.
We invest in the environment, because a healthy environment is the
condition to all life and activity. At Sioen, we want to contribute to solving
the challenges our environment faces today: climate change, search for
alternative sources of energy, use of less raw material, reduction of waste
and emissions, a.o.
OUR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - A BETTER TOMORROW
CONFIDENCE
IN TEXTILES
CERTIFIED
Tested for harmful substances
according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100
ISO 9001
compliant
ISO 14001
compliant
respect to
human rights
productions according
local environmental laws
sustainable textile
production
pro-active
sustainable product
development
“
Sioen invests in a sustainable society.
In business processes and relationships,
Sioen strives to preserve and improve the
global environment through a pro-active
environmental policy as explained in our
CSR Manifest.
„
16
CSR MANIFEST
Est. 1994
SIOEN is a member of several important branch organizations.
ISO 9001:
REACH:
Quality management systems - Requirements are directly
audited by a third party.
We guarantee that we are fully REACH conformant. REACH
is the European Community Regulation on chemicals and
their safe use. It deals with the Registration, Evaluation,
Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances.
Reach aims to enhance the human health and environment through a better and faster identification of the
intrinsic properties of chemical substances.
ISO 14001:
CERTIFIED
ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an environmental management system. It maps out a framework that a company or
organization can follow to set up an effective environmental
management system. It can be used by any organization
that wants to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste
and drive down costs.
OEKO-TEX®:
CONFIDENCE
IN TEXTILES
Tested for harmful substances
for pro-active sustainable product development.
according to Oeko-Tex® Standard 100
HUMAN RIGHTS:
The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for
businesses that are committed to aligning their operations
and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the
areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption (source: www.unglobalcompact.org).
STeP:
Sustainable Textile Production (STeP) is the new OEKO-TEX® certification system for brands, retail
companies and manufacturers from the textile chain who want to communicate their achievements
regarding sustainable production to the public in a transparent, credible and clear manner. As
market leader, we want more than high quality products. We also want our production processes
to be sustainable.
We are the first PPE manufacturing company to receive a STeP certification. The audit revealed
that Sioen Apparel complies with the highest requirements of STeP by the OEKO-TEX® standard level
3 in regard to our structures, processes and management systems.
WE ARE THE FIRST PPE
MANUFACTURING COMPANY TO
RECEIVE A STEP CERTIFICATION.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CSR,
CHECK OUR WEBSITE
WWW.SIOEN.COM
CSR MANIFEST
17
OUR DAILY CONCERNS
Overall we focus on: customised products - high end, specialised products recyclable/recycled products - integrated features - intelligent textiles
We consi­dered how the world, human population, and our businesses are set to evolve in the
short, medium and long term. From the many active brainstorming and business meetings held
at all levels within the company, we have selected five major challenges.
Demography - Many studies show that the population of our world will continue to increase and
life expectation will continue to rise. Obviously
this calls for appropriate infrastructures, medical
requirements, and greater need for transport, food
and drinking water. For Sioen, all this translates
into a growing focus on developing and producing
technical textiles for tents, buildings, insulation,
trucks, wagons and guardrails. For water storage
and transport (water tanks), basins, covers and
technical reinforcement textiles. In technical
protective clothing for agriculture & horticulture,
the medical world and the food industry.
Climate - Our climate is changing. Global warming
is a fact. Periods of drought, increasing numbers
of tropical cyclones, tsunamis, floods, and forest
fires threaten us. This translates at Sioen into
products that protect against weather, wind
and disasters. We are committed to researching
and developing products that guard against
sun, floods, hurricanes, wind and rain, as well
as protective clothing that protects the wearer
in extreme (weather) conditions.
The Apparel Division manufactures protective
clothing for those working in and around power
stations, or in risk environments. This fast-growing
market is one of our top priorities. Our aim is to
quickly and efficiently develop new products
that will further strengthen our position here.
Energy - Main sources are sun, wind, biomass
and water. This translates at Sioen into products
for green energy generation. Sioen is already
producing technical textiles for biogas container
covers and for windmills. Coated fabrics can have
manyfunctions here, for reusable packaging,
air filtration and huge ventilation hoses for air
cooling the transformers and rectifiers inside
windmills a.o.
This translates at Sioen into producing ecological
products in an ecological manner.
Safety
Increased safety needs for people & their
belongings
Climate
extreme circumstances:
DrOughts, fires, storms, heat floods, cold, A.O.
Energy
Search & need for renewable
and sustainable energy
Sun, wind, Biogas, Water
Clothing:
NRBC, riot suits, body armours, camouflage
Truck/ transport:
Roof reinforcement, security systems
Protective clothing:
Fire fighters clothing, immersion suits
Watertanks
Oilbooms
Geotextiles
Red Cross tents
Emergency units
Safety - People wish to secure and protect themselves and their property. Protection, shelter,
security, safekeeping, safeguarding, ... are words
that define this need. This translates at Sioen into
intelligent solutions for safety and protection.
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CSR MANIFEST
Ecological footprint - There is a rising ecological
awareness in society, acknowledgement of the
need to address waste, recycling, emissions,…
Technical textiles for:
Biogas containers, wind mills, integrated solarcells, bio & fog
harvesting, algae growing
Technical apparel:
Flame retardant, antistatic, ATEX protection
TENSILE ARCHITECTURE IS ONE OF THE
MAJOR TARGETED MARKETS FOR THE
YEARS TO COME. JOINT EFFORTS FROM
R&D, SALES, MARKETING, QUALITY,
PRODUCTION AND LOGISTICS ENSURE
THE BEST PRODUCTS IN THIS HIGH
END MARKET.
Ecological Footprint
Rising ecological awareness, Waste Problem,
Recycling, legislation on toxic elements and
emissions, Growing ecological awareness
Ecological production
Ecological products:
Phthalate free, bio-degradable, REACH compliant, plasticizer-free PVC, recycling, garments
made from recycled materials, recyclable
textiles, reusable garments vs. single use
garments
Demography
Growing and ageing population
Need forinfrastructure, food, drinkable water, a.o.
Food:
Food quality coated fabrics, food quality protective clothing, extreme cold & pesticide protection
Textile architecture:
Long lifespan, safe, integrated features
Construction:
Felt & filtration for thermal & acoustic insulation, rein-forcement, scaffolding nets,...
Health:
Reusable drapes & gowns
Transport:
Lighter, safer, more ecological with integrated features
CSR MANIFEST
19
SIOEN AND THE WIDER
*
ENVIRONMENT
It has become fashionable in the last years for companies to boost their environmental
credentials, with strings of fine-sounding statistics.
We prefer to look at the wider picture: how does Sioen fit into the environment – both human
and natural - it is part of? Does it give back to society and nature as much as it takes from it?
SIOEN AS AN EMPLOYER:
SIOEN IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Ardooie, the group’s corporate headquarters
and the other French and Belgian factories, are
located in the heart of the former French-Belgian
textile zone, hard hit by the collapse of the Western European textile industry in the 1970s and
1980s. Sioen is a major employer in the region.
Thanks partly to Sioen’s presence, Ardooie has
an unemployment rate of just 4.55% against 8.4%
for Belgium as a whole.
Sioen is conscious of its responsibility to the
wider business and residential community.
CEO Michèle has become the chairman of the
Belgian Employers’ Federation VBO in 2014. Other
employees serve in various social and charitable
organizations. Other examples can be found on
p. 26-30 of this manifest.
In Indonesia o.a., Sioen provides employment
to over 1 000 persons. The fact of offering working conditions superior to the average has the
effect of pushing up the overall level, not only
of pay, but also of health and safety in this
developing country.
Over the past several years, we have taken very
concrete actions to reduce our consumption of
electricity, gas and water, to recycle waste and
to minimize the environmental impact of our
transport activities.transport activities.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL
FOOTPRINT
SIOEN AS TAX-PAYER
Total tax charges of Sioen in 2014 amounted to
€ 24.5 million. This includes € 13.3 million social
security and € 2.3 million taxes on tangible assets.
Taxes on vehicles amounted to € 28.9 thousand
and taxes on energy € 892.8 thousand. Sioen paid
€ 679.7 thousand other taxes in 2014.
SOME OF OUR GARMENTS ARE PRODUCED
WITH RECYCLED POLYESTER. ONE EXAMPLE
IS THIS RECYCLED SWEATER.
20
CSR MANIFEST
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON CSR, CHECK OUR WEBSITE
SIOEN.COM
WE RECYCLE ALL POLYESTER WASTES SUCH AS HARD LUMPS AND
YARNS FROM THE SPINNING-MILL, SELFEDGES AND FABRICS FROM
THE WEAVING MILLS AND UNCOATED FABRIC REMAINS FROM THE
COATING DIVISION.
* Figures are from 31/12/2014. The figures of 2015 will be available in the next annual report end of March 2016.
This manifest will be adapted accordingly.
CHAINSAW PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
TECHNICAL AND COMFORTABLE SOLUTIONS TO
PROTECT THE USER OF HANDHELD CHAINSAWS.
Unless otherwise stated, the figures below refer
to the Belgian and French activities only. In our
overseas apparel production facilities, the essential consumption is of electricity for our sewing
equipment and for air conditioning.
1) Electricity
The Coating Division is the main user of electricity
in the Group world-wide, accounting for 95% of
consumption, to power the machinery at the spinning mill and the online coating plant. In 2014, the
group used 78,000 MWh of electricity.
Sioen has installed solar panels wherever feasible
at its Belgian and French sites. 33,298 m² of solar
panels cover around 2.25 % of total electricity needs.
The Group has signed an energy-saving “Audit
Covenant” with the Flemish government and very
similar “accords de branche” with the Walloon
government. Since 2007 external energy audits have
been a primary force in driving its energy- saving plan.
2) Gas
91% of the group’s gas consumption worldwide is
used by the Coating Division, as the main source
of heat in the direct and transfer coating plants.
In 2014, Sioen used approximately 71,000 MWh
of natural gas.
Gas and electricity consumption has been greatly reduced over the past three years with the
optimization of machinery at the direct coating
plants in Ardooie (B) and at Flixecourt (F). At all
coating plants, emissions are treated by thermaldestruction with energy recovery at on site
high performance incinerators.
WOOD
313 tons
RECYCLED PACKAGING
MATERIAL IN 2014
CARDBOARD
119 tons
RECYCLED PACKAGING
MATERIAL IN 2014
3) Water
In all our plants (B and F) we use mains water,
ground water and rainwater.
Cooling water: This is needed for the coating
units and in the production of yarns, pastes and
inks. For this we use ground and rain water, always
in closed circuit.
PLASTIC
89 tons
RECYCLED PACKAGING
MATERIAL IN 2014
CSR MANIFEST
METAL
153 tons
RECYCLED PACKAGING
MATERIAL IN 2014
21
Nebulizer: In each of our weaving plants, water
is sprayed over the looms to ensure constant
humidity. For this we use ground water.
Cleaning water: To clean barrels at our online
coating and chemicals facilities. For this we use
2,668 tons of water.
Hazardous waste
Essentially high-caloric solvent ­residues from the
coating processes. In 2014 we carried some 500
tons of hazardous waste to authorized processors.
Recent investment in distillation installations has
reduced this amount by nearly 25%.
Extinguishing water: Rainwater provides the
extinguishing water reserve in all our production
plants.
Recycling
We use approximately 947 tons of white spirit
every year in our production process, primarily
as a cleaning agent for paste barrels. After use
this solvent is distilled and reused, with the
sediment (a PVC residue) sold as a raw material
for producing floor tiles.
With the exception of sanitary water, we aim for
zero discharge status. Our online coating plant
at Ardooie and our chemicals production plant
at Bornem have already achieved this.
DMF (dimethylformamide) is the main solvent
used in the transfer coating process (around 887
tons a year). This is distilled and reused in the
production process.
4) Waste and recycling
Packaging materials
In an outward direction, Sioen uses only recyclable and/or reusable packaging material. In
an inward direction, we press our suppliers to
minimize the amount of packaging material.
Cardboard, PE foil and PMD is gathered for
recycling (see figures p.25). Sioen is a member
of Val-I-Pack which promotes the management
of recycling of industrial packaging waste.
A polyester recycling unit is ope­rational at Sioen
Fibres. This unit recycles all polyester wastes such
as hard lumps and yarns from the spinning mill,
selfedges and f­abric remains from the weaving
mills and uncoated fabric from the Coating Division. As a result the spinning-weaving-coating
process is today virtually waste-free.
Sanitary water: For this we use rainwater, topped
up with mains water as necessary.
Recycled packaging
material in 2014:
Cardboard: 119 tons
Wood: 313 tons
Metal: 153 tons
Plastic: 89 tons
End product recycling: Unfortunately, coated and
laminated textiles are difficult to recycle because
of their complex, non-homogenous nature. Sioen
is closely tracking the latest technologies for
recycling these.
EPCOAT
In the calendaring process, all production waste
is being reused as raw material in the production
process (1.040 tons a year).
IMPACT OF OUR ECOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS FOR 2014
ELECTRICITY
78.000 MWH
COMPARED TO
81,000 MWH LAST YEAR
OR A DECREASE OF
3,000 MWH.
22
CSR MANIFEST
GAS
71.000 MWH
COMPARED TO
72,000 MWH LAST YEAR
OR A DECREASE OF
1,000 MWH.
WATER
2.668 tons
TO CLEAN BARRELS AT OUR
FACILITIES WE USE CLEANING
WATER. WE AIM FOR ZERO
DISCHARGE STATUS
+
Through our membership of the plastic sheet
industry association IVK and VinylPlus, we are
involved in the VinylPlus: Epcoat system which
collects and recovers an increasing quantity of
used PVC-coated textiles every year.
5) Emissions
Most emissions of non-methanic ­volatile organic
compounds emissions are treated by thermal
destruction with energy recovery at on site high
performance incinerators.
6) Transport
In principle all transport within the company and
to customers is by outside hauliers and agents.
We do not own trucks or containers.
For overseas intercompany transport we ship as
far as possible in full-container loads. Elsewhere
we use full trucks/containers or grouped transport. For outward transport to customers we use
grouped transport which optimizes the weight
and volume per truck. Key selection criteria in
selecting hauliers are CO2 footprint, service level,
reliability and cost.
THE
OF SIOEN
DETAIL OF LIFEJACKET
7) Other
Supplier certification
As part of our vendor selection and evaluation
process, suppliers are asked to sign a declaration
that they will respect and implement our business
principles, especially as regards child labour
and human rights. In terms of environmental
management, around ¼ of our suppliers are
ISO 14001 (environmental management) EU
ECO-label, Ökotext 1000 or equivalent certified,
while a growing number can illustrate that they
have an Environment Management Plan.
Traceability
Sioen operates a work order number system that
allows us to track every produced batch back to
the batch numbers of the raw materials used. In
many cases we control the entire production
chain from fibre to fabric to finished product,
with full traceability.
PROTECTING PEOPLE AND THEIR BELONGINGS IS OUR MAJOR
CONCERN. THIS SHOWS IN THE PRODUCTS WE MAKE AND HOW
WE DO THAT, TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON RECYCLING, CHECK OUR WEBSITE
SIOEN.COM
CSR MANIFEST
23
24
CSR MANIFEST
MAXIMUM WASTE IS
BEING REUSED OR
RECYCLED
WE GUARANTEE THAT WE ARE FULLY REACH CONFORMANT
WE PRODUCE ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTS
REACH is the European Community Regulation on chemicals and their
safe use. It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and
Restriction of Chemical substances. Reach aims to enhance the human
health and environment through a better and faster identification of
the intrinsic properties of chemical substances.
Phthalate free
Biodegradables: e.g. teabags
Reach compliant
Plasticizer free PVC
Recycling
• Garments made from recycled materials
• Recyclable textiles resulting in an almost “cradle to cradle” solution
• Reusable garments vs. single use garments.
Ecological chemicals (UV & Water based)
Flexible solar panels
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
Waste problem, recycling
More Stringent legislations
Growing ecological awarness
CSR MANIFEST
25
SOME EXAMPLES
We keep in mind the impact of everything we do, in both the short and the long term.
This is our idea of corporate social responsibility, the set of all actions (large and small) we take
to protect our planet and thus ourselves.
BLOOD DONATION
COIN A DAY PROJECT
Every year we organize two blood donation
camps in some of our factories in coordination
with the Red Cross. In Indonesia for instance here
are annually about 200 participants donating
160 bags of blood which was well appreciated
by nearby hospitals helped by Red Cross Society.
Six boxes have been installed in the factory where
all employees are encouraged to deposit coins
available with them. This money is being used for
providing books, uniforms and shoes to children
belonging to the socially / economically weaker
sections of the society studying in schools in and
around the Indonesian factory.
DURABILITY
Sioen was asked, together with one of our major
customers, to take part in a study committee
about how we can measure the sustainability
of our products. One thing is for sure: thanks to
enhanced quality measures, Sioen protective
clothing is 50 to 100% more durable than that
of our competitors. This is a clear contribution to limiting the ecological impact and to
reducing waste.
RECYCLING
The recycling unit at Sioen Fibres enables us to
recycle all polyester production wastes such as
hard lumps and yarns from the spinning-mill,
selvedges and fabrics from the weaving mills and
uncoated fabric remains from the coating division.
As a result the spinning-weaving-coating process
is virtually waste-free, resulting in a cleaner environment and a rational answer to ever-increasing
raw material prices and availability issues.
SEMINAR/ SCREENING FOR
WOMEN WORKERS ON CERVIX
AND BREAST CANCER
Breast and cervical cancer accounts for 46%
of all cancer cases in Indonesia and has a high
mortality rate. Since Women constitute 82% of
the total employees in our organization it was felt
that we need to create an awareness amongst
our people about the two above mentioned
diseases in addition to pregnancy and anemia
and through them the larger community as we
aim to be more socially responsible.
It is our firm belief that a healthy body and healthy
mind are two vital requirements for a company
to be efficient since our manufacturing process is
dominated by human factors mainly constituting
women. In this connection a seminar was held
in coordination with Thamrin Hospital a leading
medical centre in Bekasi and Pan Pacific Life
Insurance.
The presentation highlighted the causes, prevention measures and early detection devices/
methods and was very informative and an eye
opener to many participants. In addition there
was a question and answer session at the end
of each program. Endah participant from the
Indotech department commented that she was
not aware of such a high risk disease, its causes
and prevention measures and was thankful to
the company for organizing such a programme.
The interaction session was lively with many
questions and answers.
46%
26
Breast and cervical cancer
accounts for 46% of all cancer
cases in Indonesia and has a
high mortality rate.
CSR MANIFEST
FAMOUS SPORTSWEAR BRANDS IN (SNOWBOARD,
SURF & BEACH, ETC.) AUDIT ANNUALLY MORE THAN
400 CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS IN THE FAR EAST
REGION.
AUDITS
Famous sportswear brands in (snowboard, surf &
beach, etc.) audit annually more than 400 clothing
manufacturers in the Far East region.
The audits cover quality, wages, safety, tidiness,
child labour and human resources management.
Sioen Indonesia finished in third place, making
us one of the best clothing manufacturers in
the world!
SPORTS EVENTS
To foster team spirit amongst various departments in the factory, a sports event is held in PT
Sungintex after official working hours in November
and December. We believe that sports does not
only positively impact body and mind, but that
it also has a more universal meaning, one that
overcomes cultural differences and stimulates
solidarity. The event comprised of matches in
volley ball, football and table tennis which invoked
an overwhelming response from the employees
of the organization. In addition, several teams
take part in the Run to Rio and Ekiden running
events in Belgium
SIOEN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING IS 50 TO 100% MORE DURABLE THAN
THAT OF OUR COMPETITORS. THIS IS A CLEAR CONTRIBUTION TO
LIMITING THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACT AND TO REDUCING WASTE.
EVERY YEAR WE ORGANIZE TWO BLOOD DONATION CAMPS IN OUR
FACTORIES IN INDONESIA. THIS WAS CONDUCTED IN COORDINATION WITH THE RED CROSS SOCIETY OF INDONESIA.
CSR MANIFEST
27
WITH SIP PROTECTION’S TREE-PLANTING PROJECT
WE REDUCE YOUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
PLANT A TREE, REDUCE
YOUR FOOTPRINT
Preserving nature and trees is one of the main
concerns of SIP Protection, our brand for professional protective clothing for chainsaw users
(arboriculture). Recently, SIP Protection launched
a tree-planting project. If a client buys a SIP-product, we give him the choice to pay an additional,
small amount of money. We use that sum to
plant a tree. The coordinates of the location of
the tree are communicated to our customer.
This way, we do not only reduce our ecological
footprint, we also decrease the footprint of our
customers. The ‘Plant a tree’-project is organised
in cooperation with natuurpunt.be, the nature
association of Flanders.
RUN AND WALK FOR CHARITY
In June 2015, a team of Sioen-sports enthusiasts
participated in the ‘Run to Rio’-running contest
to encourage our Belgian Olympic athletes in
Brazil. In September, we took part in the ‘Kom op
tegen Kanker’-walk. The money that was raised
was used to fund cancer research.
28
CSR MANIFEST
RHINOCEROS
Since the logo of our chainsaw protective clothing
brand, SIP Protection, is a rhinoceros, we decided
to adopt one. The rhinoceros is named Siphoseptu
and we immediately fell in love when we saw him.
AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE OF 2015, SIOEN SHIPPED A CONTAINER
OF TENTS AND TARPS TO NEPAL
WITH THE ORGANIZATION OF CHARITY EVENTS
WE SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
THESE ARE PICTURES FROM OUR ROMANIAN PLANT
TENTS AND TARPS FOR NEPAL
100% BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING
CHARITY EVENTS IN ROMANIA
After the earthquake of 2015, Sioen shipped a
container of tents and tarps to Nepal. In 2015,
Nepal was hit by a horrendous earthquake. Millions
of people lost their houses and were exposed to
the harsh Nepalese weather conditions.
In 2015, we introduced a new, 100% biodegradable packaging, based on corn amylum. This new
packaging will especially be used by our brand
Baleno and is a big step forward in reducing our
ecological footprint.
We asked our customers for help. The spontaneous
reactions to that call were heartwarming. Our customers made tarps of 6 x 4 and 5 x 4 meters with
Sioen technical fabrics, large enough to provide
a temporary home for 10 persons. We received
help from all over Europe. The result was a large
sea container full of tents, tarps and shelters.
ECOVER
With the organization of charity events we support
local communities. As a globally active company
we want to support the development of local
communities. In Siorom, our plant in Romania,
for instance, we regularly organize charity events
for the local schools and orphanages. Last winter
we donated winter boots to the children of a
local school and fleece jackets to an orphanage.
From now on, at our headquarters in Ardooie, we
will only use the ecological laundry products of
‘Ecover’ in our washing lab. ‘Ecover’-products are
based on sustainable and biological raw materials
and minerals, are fully and rapidly biodegradable
and have a minimum impact on the aquatic life.
CSR MANIFEST
29
PEOPLE AT SIOEN
*
The workforce at Sioen breaks down mainly into two distinct groups:
nearly 2 000 or 68% of all employees work in Indonesia, Tunisia, Myanmar and Romania
for the Apparel Division, another 900 work in Belgium and France for the Coating and
Chemicals Divisions and on group level. Another, much smaller number (around 1 000)
work in various capacities in Ireland, Portugal, China, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
The social context and the work environments are of course very different,
but the basic concerns and emphases are the same:
overseas, are a valued forum of communication between management and
personnel representatives. Channels exist for any complaints of harassment
or personal misconduct to be dealt with properly and discreetly.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
Sioen has always practised open communication. Long experience has
taught us that frank, honest discussion, with respect for everyone’s integrity and dignity, is the best way forward, in any culture. Our flat company
structure makes it easier to listen to people, and for ideas, initiatives and
grievances to pass quickly. Our various works councils, both in Europe and
People make
the difference.
CLAUDE CORNETTE
30
CSR MANIFEST
PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT
Sioen offers a stimulating working climate, with an opportunity for those
who want to develop their capacities to the full. Learning is essentially on
the job, while self-study, outside training is encouraged and supported
financially. Vacancies are filled internally wherever possible.
WE ARE A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS AND
THAT REFLECTS ALSO IN THE LOYALTY AND
DEDICATION OF THE PERSONNEL. IT IS NOT
UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE TO SPEND THEIR
ENTIRE WORKING LIVES WITH SIOEN.
* Figures are from 31/12/2014. The figures of 2015 will be available in the next annual report end of March 2016.
This manifest will be adapted accordingly.
COATING AND
CHEMICALS DIVISIONS.
829
PERSONS
APPAREL DIVISION
2 648
PERSONS
+
THE
OF SIOEN
OUR EMPLOYEES ENSURE THAT PROMISES ARE KEPT AND THAT OUR
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MEET CUSTOMERS’ EXPECTATIONS AND
DEMANDS. THROUGH MANY YEARS OF DEDICATION, OUR EMPLOYEES
HAVE BUILT UP A HUGE FUND OF SKILLS.
LOYALTY AND DEDICATION
WORKING CONDITIONS
Sioen tries to be loyal to its employees and its employees are certainly loyal
to Sioen. Hire and fire is not the Sioen way – even during economic crises
like in 2008. Average length of service is well above the industry average:
our general experience is that new hires either fit in with our way of doing
things and stay or leave very quickly. It is not uncommon, even today, for
people to spend their entire working lives with Sioen.
Our employees work in up-to-date production plants with recreation, showers
and canteens, and in certain overseas locations, company transportation.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Safety is a core value, both in Europe and overseas. New hires receive
safety training and larger plants have designated safety officers. Our safety
records are well above average for the industries we are in.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
Sioen is committed to providing a quality working environment with
equal opportunities for every employee. Women play an important role
at management level, with the wife and three daughters of company
founder Jean-Jacques Sioen holding top management positions, and also
throughout the group. Around 70% of total personnel worldwide is female.
Sioen does not discriminate in employment or treatment on grounds of
race, religion, class, caste, language, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or political affiliation.
WAGES AND BENEFITS
All our employees receive fair market remuneration. In Belgium and France
employees are covered by the Collective Agreements. For most of its permanent Belgian and French employees, Sioen contributes to extra-legal
top-up schemes over and above the state pension. Sioen employees are
paid above the minimum wage for these countries.
CSR MANIFEST
31
CHEMICALS
WEAVING
APPAREL
SPINNING
FULL INTEGRATION AND IN-HOUSE SUPPLY-CHAIN CONTROL
All capable resources are vertically fully integrated, making us the
only full service provider able to offer the entire production process
in-house. Our own portfolio range over chemicals to yarns, raw fabric
and pigment pastes to coating and lacquering of technical textiles and
apparel. Our capability is ensured by through 5 coating techniques in 7
coating plants, 3 weaving units and one spinning mill all over Europe. In
addition we have 6 production units for technical apparel in Indonesia,
Myanmar, Tunisia and Rumania.
STEADINESS
COATING SYSTEM
EUROPEAN
STANDARD
COATING
LACQUERING
100%
RECYCLABLE
FABRIEKSTRAAT 23 I 8850 ARDOOIE BELGIUM I T +32 51 74 09 00 I F +32 51 74 09 64 I [email protected] I WWW.SIOEN.COM