As a producer of materials for the solar PV industry, we view ourselves as an integral part of global efforts to reduce dependencies on fossil fuel and other hydrocarbon-based energy generation and minimize the environmental impact of energy consumption. Moreover, our low-cost solar grade silicon produced from metallurgical silicon consumes significantly less energy than traditional purification methods for producing solar grade silicon from polysilicon.

As a natural corollary to our strategic focus on the solar PV industry, we are committed to achieving the highest standards of environmental excellence at our manufacturing facilities. The principles of sustainable development will continue to be implemented throughout our organization in future years.

This annual report sets out the principles by which we intend to measure our performance towards these objectives in future years. Specifically, for future sustainable development reports, we are committed to reporting environmental and safety performance according to the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI’s) G3 guidelines for sustainability reporting. The initial indicators that we have identified for data collection and their relationship to GRI are outlined below.

Environment – Raw Material Usage

GRI Indicators EN1, EN2

We recognize that efficient use of primary materials and recycled materials is an important sustainable business practice. We will collect data on our primary and recycled raw material usage as a means to identify opportunities to increase efficiencies in the use of these materials.

Environment – Energy Usage

GRI Indicators EN3, EN4

Energy efficiency is a key tool in achieving reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at our manufacturing facilities. Production of silicon metal using electric arc furnaces is a high electrical energy consuming process. The purification of silicon also consumes energy through burning natural gas or other hydrocarbon-based fuels. Careful management and further process development can control or even reduce the amount of energy required to produce and purify metallurgical silicon. Whilst energy efficiency is an important tool to combat climate change, the carbon footprint of our manufacturing sites is significantly affected by the local power suppliers. In Québec, where hydroelectric power is predominant, remarkably low carbon indirect emissions are associated with operations. Future energy consumption data will segregate direct energy versus indirect energy and energy from renewable and non renewable sources. Indirect energy almost exclusively encompasses the purchase of electricity, while direct energy includes, among others, the onsite combustion of natural gas, gasoline and other oils for heating and transportation purposes.

Environment – Water Management

GRI Indicator EN8

We recognize that prudent use of water reserves is an important sustainable business practice. Even in water abundant areas, careful management of raw water usage can save energy associated with pumping and effluent treatment costs, and can help minimize effects on water quality through the control of discharges. We will collect data on water usage and use this data to identify opportunities for water recycling and water usage reduction projects.

Environment – Climate Change

GRI Indicators EN16, EN17

We recognize that a worldwide response at every level of society, personal, commercial and governmental, is urgently required to address climate change while promoting progress and growth. Reduction of GHG emissions is an important sustainability objective. We will collect data on our GHG emissions and use this data to identify opportunities to reduce such emissions relative to the volume of silicon metal and solar grade silicon that we produce.

Over 95% of GHG emissions at our metallurgical silicon manufacturing site occur as a result of the production of carbon dioxide as a by-product of the process for making silicon metal. Specifically, carbon-based process materials, such as coal, coke, charcoal and wood chips (C), are combined with quartz (SiO₂) in a pyrometallurgical process to create silicon (Si) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Although the production of solar grade silicon produces GHG emissions, studies have shown that the lifetime energy created from a solar PV system significantly exceeds the energy used in its production.

Environment – Emissions to Air

GRI Indicators EN19, EN20

Particulates from furnaces are controlled by baghouses, which are the best and most reliable technology for particulate emission control. We will collect data on our air emissions and use that data to identify opportunities to reduce emissions of both particulate and other air pollutants.

Environment – Emissions to Water

GRI Indicator EN21

Emissions to water generally result from the discharges of process water. Strategies to reduce emissions include on-site water recycling, utilizing less input water and using water only in non-contact processes. We will collect data on the volume of water discharged from our facilities and the levels and types of impurities in that water.

Environment – Waste Production

GRI Indicator EN22

We recognize that most waste materials have an intrinsic value resulting either from chemical composition or physical properties. We will continue to seek out either recycling methodologies or beneficially reuse opportunities for all materials currently disposed as waste. We will collect data on our waste production and set goals for the reduction of wastes.

Safety – Accident Rates

GRI Indicator LA7

The continued health and safety of all employees is a core value of ours. Safety data will be collected to cover all accidents involving our employees at any of our facilities. Lost time accident rates and accident severity rates will be the primary indicators used to assess our performance.