MPA publishes SD Report 2013

Mineral Products Association releases latest summary of industry’s sustainable development performance

THE Mineral Products Association (MPA) has published its latest Sustainable Development (SD) Report, which aims to further improve the quality and reporting of sustainability data to achieve more transparency and better communication of sustainability.

This summary of the industry’s sustainable development performance in 2012 is supplemented by commentaries which provide an indication of activities in 2013, including examples of areas where further action and progress is required.

Nigel Jackson (pictured), chief executive of the MPA, said: ‘I believe that this information and the work which lies behind all of these data and issues highlight the industry’s continuing commitment to sustainability.

‘This commitment has been sustained during a period of recession which saw industry sales volumes decline by up to 40%, and 2012 was a particularly difficult year for the industry,’ he said. ‘But in spite of this backdrop, there remains a real focus on seeking performance improvements in areas such: as health and safety for employees, contractors and the public; carbon reduction; resource use; biodiversity and nature conservation; and the development and delivery of products and services which support our clients and customers.’

The MPA says that since the first quarter of 2013 markets have shown comparative signs of improvement which will bring future sustainability challenges and questions.

Highlights from the latest MPA SD Report include:

• MPA Cement is the first national cement association to produce a 2050 greenhouse gas strategy
• Industry volumes declined by an average of 10% in 2012, with some recovery during 2013
• MPA launches the first stage of a National Nature Park comprising sites with public access and significant biodiversity and nature conservation value
• The mineral products industry continues to lead the way in Responsible Resourcing certification
• 29% of aggregates supply is from recycled and secondary sources – three times higher than the European average
• MPA produces, for the first time, quantified data on the creation of 4,666ha of priority habitats by the industry
• MPA hosts the first summit on improving public safety at former quarries and 40 organizations participate
• MPA implements a policy to improve vulnerable road-user and cyclist safety through specific driver training and the fitting of additional delivery vehicle safety equipment
• Independent research finds that the mineral products industry has a turnover of £9 billion, GVA of £4 billion and supplies industries with a combined turnover of £400 billion
• Resource Efficiency Action Plans are published covering the precast concrete and ready-mixed concrete industries
• MPA Asphalt, the Refined Bitumen Association and the Highways Agency jointly commission research on reduced-emission asphalts
• 40% of fuel used for cement manufacture comes from waste-derived sources.