Cosentino places its faith in innovation to contribute to the 2030 Agenda
Cosentino presents its 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report containing its social and environmental commitments set within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through this document, Cosentino presents its achievements and commitments to putting into practice the action plan on the 2030 Agenda, which Spain presented to the United Nations yesterday, Wednesday 18 July.
Download the Cosentino 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
Santiago Alfonso, Cosentino Group Vice-President of Marketing and Communications: "Spain presented an ambitious project that requires a contribution from every person and institution. Cosentino is aware that its leadership also implies the obligation of paving the way towards sustainability. Cosentino will be able to drive the implementation of this agenda by adding our performance in strategic goals for our activity, such as health (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), decent work (SDG 8), innovation (SDG 9) and responsible production (SDG 12)."
Sustainable innovation towards the circular economy
Cosentino continues to place its faith in innovation (SDG 9) as an essential driver of sustainable development. During 2017, investment in RD&I was increased by 30% over 2016 levels, reaching 22.5 million euros.
Part of this innovation effort has been focused on putting into practice Cosentino's undertaking for sustainable production and the circular economy, in line with its strategic commitment to SDG 12, responsible consumption and production. Environmentally friendly products, which use waste from the production process in their composition, are an example of this commitment. In 2017, Cosentino produced 1.2 million square metres of slabs using reclaimed material, accounting for 19% of total production, compared to 9% in 2016.
In this regard, Cosentino has once again recently used innovation in order to progress towards a model of circular economy. On 16 July, the company announced the imminent opening of its own waste management facility (WMF).
Increasing employment, diversity and safety - the keys to success
The multinational continues to place its faith in the sustained growth in employment that has characterised recent years. The company reached a figure of 3,975 employees in 2017. Additionally, Cosentino continues to advance in its efforts to bring diversity and equality to its workforce. The proportion of women in executive positions rose to 14.75% in 2017, deepening the company's commitment to gender equality set out in SDG 5 of the 2030 Agenda.
Cosentino is committed to quality employment (SDG 8), with special attention to the creation of safe workplaces for the entire value chain. The company was able to reduce the accident rates of all its workplaces in Iberia, and in its processing workshops in the United States. Only last year, Cosentino invested more than 3 million euros on safety systems for its US facilities, in addition to the 26.5 million euros invested over the last five years, mainly in the measures applied to its production and transformation facilities in Almería, Brazil and the United States.
Commitment to talent and quality education
Cosentino's commitment to quality education (SDG 4) is put into practice mainly through the Eduarda Justo Foundation, set up in 2006 to promote economic, social, educational and cultural development in Cosentino's local area.
The multinational also sets store by the potential of art and culture to develop talent in people. A 2017 landmark was Cosentino's collaboration on the creation of the first museum dedicated to the Spanish photographer, Almería native Carlos Pérez Siquier.
As part of its social commitment for the well-being of the inhabitants of the company's local area, Cosentino increased its donations to social initiatives being implemented in Spain, Brazil and the United States by 31%. A total of 1.3 million euros was given in donations.
