Prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the report covers developments in water and energy efficiency, digital transformation, social contributions, and organizational transformation.
Pioneering Steps in Water and Energy Efficiency
According to key data highlighted in the report, 95% of YDÇ’s total water consumption is sourced from grey water.In 2023, 23,5 % of the water used was reclaimed through projects launched that year. The company aims to increase the recovery rate of discharged wastewater and to reduce the amount of hazardous waste per ton of production.
Continuing its projects to enhance energy efficiency, YDÇ is accelerating its preparations for a transition to renewable energy. Medium and long term projects are being developed based on the use of hydrogen instead of fossil fuels. In addition, mid-term plans are underway to increase the use of solar and wind energy. By reducing the proportion of raw materials sourced from blast furnace-based producers, the company is lowering its carbon emissions and placing greater emphasis on the use of sustainable and certified raw materials.
Digitalization and Organizational Transformation
The company plans to implement digitalization initiatives, artificial intelligence applications, and fintech compatible projects within its production processes. In this context, it commissioned its second galvanizing line in 2023, increasing its galvanized product manufacturing capacity to 700,000 tons. With the implementation of the S/4HANA infrastructure, business processes have been streamlined, resulting in faster decision-making, monitoring, and improvement cycles.
For YDÇ, 2024 was not only a year of digitalization but also one of organizational transformation. The management structure was streamlined, transitioning to a more agile and dynamic model. The implementation of the Salesforce CRM system marked the beginning of a more efficient era in customer relationship management. Additionally, the Employee Experience Project was launched to enhance employee engagement and strengthen the corporate culture.
Social Responsibility and Community Contributions
The report also highlights efforts toward gender equality. The proportion of female employees has reached 10%. Projects implemented based on employee suggestions, community contributions in the field of education, and workplace safety-focused initiatives further strengthen the social dimension of sustainability.
‘’Sustainability is a part of our way of doing business’’
Selçuk Yılmaz, General Manager of Yıldız Demir Çelik, emphasized in his statement that sustainability is not merely a separate topic for the company but an integrated mindset embedded in all decision-making processes. Yılmaz stated, “The issue is no longer about how much is produced, but how and why it is produced. Corporate resilience is shaped not only by economic structure but also by sensitivity to the environment, people, and society.”
He pointed out that policies such as the European Green Deal and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are shaping the future of the industry, adding:
“In this new era, we operate in many markets—from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia. However, the true value for us lies in responsiveness to needs and a shared commitment to grow together.”
Yılmaz also highlighted that YDÇ is the first Turkish steel producer to utilize grey water, and that they have integrated the circular economy into their daily decision-making. Furthermore, he noted that Industry 4.0 applications are viewed not only as tools for efficiency but as the foundation of a flexible and foresighted business structure.
“Sustainability in Every Step”
General Manager Yılmaz continued his remarks:
“Today, we navigate through many uncertainties. But one thing is clear: sustainability is not just a necessity for us; it is embedded in every step of how we do business. Our goal is not to produce more, but to advance with a more responsible, resilient, and meaningful approach to industry. We are not shaping the direction of this transformation alone; we are shaping it together with all our stakeholders.”
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