Environmental Charter

«Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs»
(Brundtland report).

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

How can we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs?

This question is very topical in companies too and particularly in extractive companies which exist because they supply substances that are needed but are not renewable on a human scale.

Provençale has taken initiatives to address economic efficiency, social equity and environmental protection issues, the three pillars of sustainable development.

This concerns the company’s entire staff and each member can take steps in this direction.

To improve our in-house communications, a register will soon be introduced in each department so that everyone can report on their observations, request improvements or make suggestions relating to technical, safety, quality and environmental matters.

These registers will be analysed by the site manager on a quarterly basis for action to be taken.

This register will not concern emergency safety-related interventions.

We welcome all energy-saving initiatives.

Catherine DELFAUX

THE MANAGEMENT’S COMMITMENT

For many years now, we have been a major player in the European calcium carbonate market, as a result of the quality of our deposits, their geographical location, and the volume of our sales.

To maintain these positions while optimising the use of the natural resources that form the basis of our business and minimising its impact on the environment, we want to be sure we satisfy our current and future customers by identifying their needs as soon as possible, by disseminating information in all of the relevant departments, by having deposits and industrial equipment suited to meeting these needs, by delivering high quality of service and remaining responsive.

The industrial competition with which we are faced, the regulatory requirements concerning quarry management, and the inclusion of sustainable development in our operations mean we must constantly make changes.
Being competitive in every field is an essential requirement; fully satisfying our customers is a necessity; securing our future is a duty we have in relation to our partners; complying with regulations in force is a commitment; and having regard for the environment is our responsibility both for nature and the population.

Quality is the key factor that allows us to firmly establish our reputation with our customers and to secure new contracts. Environmental protection is the key value we cultivate to limit the impact of our business and prove that we take the concerns of residents, administrative bodies and customers very seriously.
All-round involvement in this initiative is the essential condition of our success and I undertake to make sure we have the resources we need to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements applicable to our products and to constantly improve the efficiency of our quality system.

«Customer satisfaction and concern for the environment are values our company intends to make its own.

Provençale SA extracts calcium carbonate to produce mineral loads mainly used in the design of plastics and paint. Our plant in Espira de l’Agly offers a wide range of white products for a variety of usages.
The quality-environment system enables us to capitalise on our experience to boost customer satisfaction and constantly improve our quality and environmental performance.

This system is part of our proactive policy to pursue the sustainable development of our operations, while combining economic and corporate development, environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources.

Quality-environment policy and goals

We cannot achieve our goals:

• Unless we respect the principles of quality that guarantee a perfect match between our products and our equipment and the needs of our current and future customers;
• Unless we comply with environmental regulations in force.

The quality-environment system enables us to capitalise on our experience to boost customer satisfaction and constantly improve our quality and environmental performance.

Our quality-environment policy encompasses the following commitments:

• Fully control potential causes of customer dissatisfaction at the lowest cost
• Prevent risks of non-conforming products as early in the process as possible
• Beneficiate our mineral deposits as best we can
• Comply with regulations in force applicable to our operations, our products and our services
• Identify the significant environmental aspects of our business
• Identify, manage, monitor and prevent potential risks of pollution
• Develop better communications with our staff so that everyone is aware of environmental issues and plays a more important role in the smooth running and on-going improvement of the management system.

Our goals are to:

• Satisfy our customers
• Develop new products
• Constantly improve our production costs
• Make our staff more responsible and aware of the consequences of their work.
• Reduce the negative impacts of significant environmental aspects:
  • Significantly reduce emissions of dust
  • Limit the noise caused by our facilities to improve the living environment of residents
  • Introduce increasingly thorough selective waste sorting

On top of these goals, other objectives may be defined by the management at reviews. The indicators or plans of action relating to each goal are defined at least once a year at the management review.
Understanding of the quality-environment policy and its suitability to our corporate structure are verified at these management reviews.»

Catherine DELFAUX