Another Sustainability Initiative from Akkim

Another Sustainability Initiative from Akkim Akkim Kimya, Turkey's leading chemical raw materials producer celebrating its 45th anniversary, has added another initiative to its sustainable development efforts. The company, which pursues national and international collaborations with the goal of gender equality, became a pioneer in the chemical sector by securing credit under Garanti BBVA's Gender Loan structure. Akkim Kimya, a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, implements gender equality practices aimed at preventing discrimination and supporting human rights. Continuing collaborations in line with sustainable development goals set by the UN Global Compact, the world's largest sustainability initiative, the company joined the "Target Gender Equality" program to support greater female leadership and equal representation efforts. As a member of Yanındayız Association and Impact 2030 Turkey's Impact Council, Akkim aims to develop new projects in this field through an Employee Volunteer team established within the company. With an understanding of gender equality and equal opportunity, Akkim has contributed to increasing female employment in working life and has implemented another new practice. Under the "Gender Loan" structure launched by Garanti BBVA as a world first, sustainable finance support was provided to Akkim Kimya. As a first in the chemical sector to receive Gender Loan credit, Akkim will accelerate its gender equality-focused initiatives. The company's practices in this field will be evaluated using Garanti BBVA's developed methodology, and a discount will be applied to the credit interest rate.

"With Our 45 Years of Experience, We Believe in Gender Equality"

Akkim Kimya General Manager Onur Kipri explained the details of their work aimed at gender equality. Stating that they will implement the actions they have determined in this field under the Akkimce brand, Kipri said: "With our 45 years of accumulated experience, as one of Turkey's leading chemical raw materials producers, we always prioritize the principles of gender equality and fairness in line with our social and economic development goals. With this approach, we have planned what we can achieve under the Akkimce brand by 2025. This year we became signatories to the United Nations Principles for the Empowerment of Women (WEPs). Over the next three years, we will implement initiatives including gradually increasing female employment at operational and professional levels, providing women's rights training to at least 75 percent of our employees, collaboration with civil society organizations, mentoring for female students in Yalova and Nazilli where our production facilities are located, restructuring nursing rooms in our workplaces, granting leave to female employees with children on school opening and closing days, adding 3 additional paternity leave days above legal requirements, and providing educational programs for families on household economics and child development. Through these measures, we will provide meaningful support to promote and expand the understanding of gender equality, which holds a valuable place in the ideal of a sustainable future."