Sustainability has become a priority across all industries, influencing every aspect of business operations, from regulatory compliance to internal and external risk assessments, and even shaping customer and consumer decisions. In Chile, where ME Elecmetal is headquartered, the Ipsos 2024 Sustainability Monitor Study reveals that while most Chileans are highly aware of climate change and the need for everyday adaptive actions, there is less recognition of the larger-scale efforts required at a national level to address this challenge.
Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) are now central to corporate agendas and prominent in media discussions. But how well do consumers and decision-makers truly understand these concepts? In the mining sector, for instance, what sustainability attributes do commercial actors prioritize when selecting products or services? Furthermore, how is this sustainability approach reflected in other countries where ME Elecmetal operates, such as the United States and China?
The Ipsos study shows that around 50% of respondents (from a sample of 5,000) either misunderstand or are unfamiliar with the concept of sustainability. An additional 25% have only a vague understanding, while the remaining 25% can correctly identify the concept. Among those familiar with sustainability, environmental concerns dominate, particularly commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling waste, responsibly managing natural resources, and producing eco-friendly products and/or services.
The ME Elecmetal study, “Perceptions and Reflections,” conducted in April 2024, delves into the key attributes most frequently mentioned by grinding media customers. While sustainability was not initially a top-of-mind factor, it has increasingly gained relevance in the mining industry.
The study highlights that sustainability is becoming a mainstream concern and will be a critical focus over the next five years, particularly as companies look toward 2030. Achieving sustainability goals is seen as a shared responsibility, requiring collaboration across three key areas: (1) corporate commitment, (2) sustainable supply chain practices, and (3) strong governmental support.
In alignment with these trends, ME Elecmetal has already made significant strides in creating environmentally friendly products and services. The company’s Sustainability Strategy, built around four key pillars, drives the development of Integral Solutions and recent innovations like the CO2 Lite grinding ball. Additionally, ME Elecmetal offers a range of Value Added Engineering Services (VAES), further enhancing its commitment to sustainable mining solutions.
According to insights from ME Elecmetal, when it comes to grinding balls, sustainability is often mentioned after other key attributes like performance, price, and reliability.
The purchasing decision appears to be driven by a combination of these factors, with sustainability seen more as a result of an optimized process rather than a standalone attribute. In other words, the focus is on how the integration of performance, cost-efficiency, and durability leads to a more sustainable outcome over time, rather than sustainability being the primary driver of the decision.
“Sustainability is a growing focus for our customers and decision-makers. At ME Elecmetal, we’re committed to offering comprehensive solutions that address Sustainability at various levels and add value in diverse ways.”
— Giorgio Migliaro, Global Marketing Director, ME Elecmetal.
Sustainability has been a cornerstone of ME Elecmetal’s operations throughout its history. In fact, the company became the first smelter in Latin America to base its business on the use of an Electric Arc Furnace, relying on metal by-products (scrap) for its operation since 1917. This pioneering approach laid the foundation for ME Elecmetal’s long-standing commitment to sustainable practices.
Since 2022, ME Elecmetal has been working to prioritize sustainability through a participatory diagnosis aimed at shaping its Sustainability Strategy. This strategy serves as a roadmap, complete with defined indicators and goals to guide its sustainability management. Since then, the company has made significant progress on various initiatives. However, the challenge remains to communicate these efforts effectively using evidence-based data, ensuring alignment with market demands while reinforcing its value proposition of providing comprehensive solutions.
This approach aligns with the key findings of the Ipsos study, which highlights that “people expect more communication from companies on sustainability issues.” The challenge lies in striking a balance between tactical messaging—such as pricing, offers, and products—and highlighting meaningful contributions to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
ME Elecmetal’s ongoing efforts are designed to meet this challenge, reinforcing its value proposition of delivering comprehensive, sustainable solutions in the metallurgical industry.
