OPTIMISM AND REALISM IN FASTENER SUSTAINABILITY
Apex Stainless Fasteners has imposed a demanding set of criteria upon itself to enhance its sustainable performance, including readying for Environmental Certification ISO 14001 and also abiding by tough SBTi targets. Managing Director David Vahter & QHSE Manager Jim Carter talk to Torque Magazine about optimism and realism in sustainability…
Apex Stainless Fasteners is a major supplier of stainless steel fasteners, with sites across the UK and customers throughout the nation and Europe, boasting over 4,000 tonnes of inventory. Now with over three decades of trading behind it, the business is undergoing a significant shift as it looks to become more sustainable. Apex Stainless Fasteners is approaching the task with ambition, multiple projects and targets from multiple regulatory bodies.
Among those projects has been a review of packing and packaging materials, which recently concluded. Apex picks up the story: “We quickly identified that there were several elements of plastic packaging that we either could get rid of or replace with a more environmentally friendly alternative. The review covered anything from how we will fill our packages, to the documents enclosed slips and how we wrap our pallets.”
With packaging an area that is currently being singled out by law makers, Apex Stainless Fasteners anticipates that the industry will have many more environmentally friendly options in the coming years: “I believe this is an area which is under good development throughout the packaging industry, and we look forward to having more alternatives to choose from in the future.”
ISO 14001
Preparing a business to meet the exacting requirements of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is no mean feat. For those of us without a working knowledge of those requirements, Apex provides a brief overview: “The framework required to achieve ISO 14001 certification is very similar to that of the 9001 quality standard, however it does have some key differences. The main difference is the ‘legal compliance’ aspect that exists within ISO 14001 and the complexities that brings to an organisation in ensuring that all relevant UK legislation is understood and complied with.
“Apex has decided to use the LRQA as its certifying body and approval takes place over two stages. Our Stage 1 and 2 audit visits have been booked and it is hoped we shall be certified by the end of Q2, 2023. To aid in the certification process, Apex has recently undertaken a two-day Gap Analysis process with the LRQA to pinpoint areas of work required.”
The ISO 14001 certification plays into Apex’s ambitions in many ways, not least its goal to become a leader in sustainability. The firm’s policy is to incorporate ISO 14001 guidelines in its Best Practice, creating a continuous improvement cycle for its environmental performance: “Several customers expect us to work towards certification or at least work according to it.
“In terms of our Scope 1 emissions, we are replacing company cars to more environmentally friendly alternatives such as electric cars. There have also been a number of projects made to improve our working environment as well as our Scope 1 emission when it comes to our company facilities.
"The ISO 14001 certification plays into Apex’s ambitions in many ways, not least its goal to become a leader in sustainability."
In terms of Scope 2 we entered a new energy agreement with a minimum 75% renewable energy split during 2022."
While recent times have seen more publicity for ISO 14001 certification in the industry, it’s probably fair to say that the UK fastener industry has not had it at the top of its list. That’s a view Apex echoes: “Certification to the ISO 14001 standard has not been a priority for the majority of the UK fastener industry. It is not necessarily a straightforward process and of course depending on your setup it can potentially involve more resources than you have available depending on the size of the company. However, with sustainability and all industries environmental impacts coming more into focus for the entire world, I believe that the UK fastener industry will need to prioritise this area more and more going forward.
“14001 certifications will play a major role in this, and in the long run will make the industry greener, more sustainable, increased ethics and more efficient.”
Science Based Target initiative
Many businesses would be content to contend with ISO 14001 certification, but Apex Stainless Fasteners has also decided to join those working with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to reduce its emissions in line with climate science.
This is another project that is well underway at Apex, which is having its SBTi targets validated. But why go to the lengths of adhering to SBTi targets as well as the ISO 14001 certification? There are a number of reasons, says Apex, including competitive advantage: “We see an increase of customers' requirements and expectations with actions to reduce GHG emissions to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.”
Likewise, the SBTi is a chance for Apex to enhance its reputation with different stakeholders: “We see demands from investors, customers and society in general to do our bit with limiting global warming,” the firm tells Torque Magazine.
“It also increases the value of our offering. By signing to the SBTi we collect internal data from our operations and can more easily collaborate with customers targeting to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Future and potential regulation updates are also a good reason to be at the forefront, says Apex: “SBTi’s help us with preparing for future regulations, for example the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) that will tax importers of products like steel and aluminium products with high GHG emissions. Even though, as of now, it does not include stainless steel, it is still a good example on how we want to be one step ahead.
“Apex wants to become a leader in sustainability and signing for the SBTi can help us in achieving this goal as stated in our sustainability and environmental policies.”
"Apex wants to become a leader in sustainability and signing for the SBTi can help us in achieving this goal as stated in our sustainability and environmental policies."
As hinted above, feeding into Apex Stainless Fasteners’ sustainability drive is a wider look at the supply chain and, more specifically, working with partners and suppliers on calculating and reducing greenhouse gases. It’s been noted before that this is amongst the most difficult areas from which to cut carbon emissions. The herculean task is not one that Apex is shying away from – and the business is under no false illusions about: “I am very optimistic and realistic about it at the same time. Optimistic in the sense that it is on everyone’s agenda from companies like us, to forwarders, fastener factories, steel mills and mines. Realistic in the sense that is going to take a considerable amount of time before it penetrates down to the whole supply chain worldwide.
“The main challenge will be the Scope 3 emission from the mining and steel making parts of our supply chain. As mentioned, it is on everyone’s agenda as it should be if we are to make our Earth liveable for generations to come. But not only that, it does already and will even more play a part of the commercial business making process. It will be very interesting to see what improvements and strides the mining and steel making industry will achieve in the coming two to three years.”
