Kalekim Publishes Sustainability Report

Kalekim Publishes Sustainability Report Kalekim, celebrating its 50th year in Turkey's building chemicals sector, has published its sustainability report. In line with its corporate responsibility approach and prioritizing sustainability and environmental issues, Kalekim General Manager Timur Karaoğlu commented on the company's 2022 sustainability report: "We view this report, which we are presenting to the sector as a guide in Kalekim's 50th year and our Republic's 100th year, as a highly valuable work in the name of sustainability. We each bear individual responsibilities in creating a sustainable future and leaving behind a green world for our children." Kalekim has shared its 2022 sustainability report, which includes its sustainability targets, implementation, performance and steps it will take toward a more livable world. Prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 2021 Standards, the report also demonstrates the contribution of the company's activities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Kalekim General Manager Timur Karaoğlu, noting that a sustainable perspective is one of the most important factors underlying the company's successful business results in recent years, stated: "In this meaningful year when we are celebrating our Republic's 100th anniversary, we are also leaving behind our 50th year in the sector as Kalekim. As the Kalekim Family, we carry the excitement and pride of having completed half a century in our production journey that began in 1973. In this journey that began with the production of ceramic adhesives and grout fillers, we have incorporated many firsts and innovations to date. As the pioneering brand of Turkey's building chemicals sector and an important asset for our country in global markets, we will continue to work, produce and create value for our nation and people with our firsts and innovations for a sustainable future going forward" he explained.

50 Years of Always Being the Best

Kalekim is advancing in line with the "Look After the World Well" movement launched by Kale Group, aware that the path to achieving sustainable growth passes through continuous improvement. The "Look After the World Well" movement illuminates our path on sustainability, and through this movement we aim to take good care of our business, our city and our country, add value and make our impact sustainable. Timur Karaoğlu stated, "To be a sustainable company, economic, social and environmental impacts must be closely monitored and corporate management must be integrated with these developments. Companies are expected to focus on public benefit by considering the needs in their ecosystems alongside successful business results. As a company that respects people and the environment and creates sustainable value for society, one of the most important factors underlying Kalekim's successful business results in recent years has been this perspective. We are going through a period when recent issues such as the climate crisis, natural disasters resulting from this crisis, the pandemic, increases in raw material prices and growing inequality in global income distribution have further highlighted the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. In line with the "Look After the World Well" movement launched by Kale Group, which has internalized, prioritized and implemented a sustainability approach since its founding, we have developed strategies based on sustainability: Creating a Sustainable Business Model, effective and efficient management of energy and resources, ensuring a cultural transformation centered on people, and creating social benefit based on impact-driven and mutual benefit" he said.

Our Call to Stakeholders: Look After the World Well

"As a company that respects people and the environment and creates sustainable value for society, we work with the goal of always offering the best and newest to our stakeholders without compromising quality at every stage of our production. As Kalekim, sustainability undoubtedly forms our most important focus as we move rapidly toward our targets. We particularly view the "Look After the World Well" movement launched by our Group as an important call that will change, transform all of us and create awareness in society for a sustainable world. In line with this call, we are trying to leave a green mark on nature through our leadership-driven projects and practices that make a difference in our ecosystem. In this context, since 2015 we have taken many steps within the framework of the ISO 14064 standard to reduce our "Carbon Footprint" emissions, from creating multiple facility structures close to markets and raw materials to shortening shipping distances. As a result, our CO2 emission rate has decreased by 21% over the last 8 years. As a result of this success we achieved, we were selected as "Low Carbon Hero" for the second time in 2021. In the scope of renewable energy, in 2023 a decision was made to establish a 6 mWe Solar Energy System (SES) with an investment of USD 6.05 million, primarily to meet group internal needs. The SES to be installed is expected to provide approximately 7,196 tons of carbon savings. Going forward, without compromising our sustainability approach, we will continue to work in line with our strategies to leave a greener and more livable world for future generations."