Kastamonu Entegre Takes Strong Steps Toward a Sustainable Future

Kastamonu Entegre, a global leader in wood-based panel sector, published its 2023 Sustainability Report.

In the report, the company emphasized that it has positioned sustainability at the center of its corporate strategy in line with its vision of being a bridge from nature to life; renewable energy investments, circular economy practices and carbon emission reduction targets with environmentally friendly products such as 100% bio-based Pureboard came to the fore.

Haluk Yıldız, CEO of Kastamonu Entegre, which stands out with awards received in innovation and energy efficiency, said, "With the deep-rooted history extending from our foundation to today, we are strengthening our leadership by developing sustainable solutions. With our R&D studies and digitalization-focused projects, we will progress stronger each year."

The 2023 Sustainability Report, prepared by Kastamonu Entegre Sustainability Working Group, which stands out as the first company in the sector in Turkey to publish a sustainability report, contained comprehensive information on the company's environmental, social and economic performance, strategic priorities, sustainability policies and stakeholder relations.

In line with the company's vision of being a bridge from nature to life, the report positions sustainability at the center of its corporate strategy; around main headings such as "Responsible Governance Understanding", "Sustainability Approach", "Climate and Environmental Protection", "Employee Focus" and "Stakeholder Relations", it contains details on work and processes in the fields of energy efficiency, circular economy, sustainable forest management, material and water management, waste reduction, diversity and inclusion. Prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, the report covers the company's Turkey operations between 1 January - 31 December 2023.

Yıldız: "2023 was a year of strong steps in sustainability and innovation"

Haluk Yıldız, CEO of Kastamonu Entegre, expressing that 2023 was a year in which the company stood out with strong steps in sustainability and innovation and successes in global markets, made the following statements:

"With the deep-rooted history extending from our foundation to today, we are integrating our sustainability understanding into every stage of our business processes, continuing our leadership in the sector with environmentally conscious products. With our R&D studies, digitalization and innovation-focused projects, we will progress stronger each year as a company looking to the future with hope."

Yıldız continued as follows:

"The two 'mega site' production facilities we put into operation played an important role in increasing our production capacity and competitive advantage in Turkey. With our 100% bio-based Pureboard product, offering ecological solutions, we ranked 18th among environmentally friendly companies on Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies List. The success we demonstrated in innovation and R&D has resonated significantly across the sector. In the InnovaLİG competition organized by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), we won the first place award in the Innovation Strategy category.

We won energy efficiency awards through projects supported by the T.C. Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and achieved various environmental savings. These efforts are a reflection of our company's responsibility to both nature and society."

Noting that they run both product development and productivity improvement projects in their R&D centers, Yıldız added the following remarks: "By focusing on innovative and sustainable materials, circular solutions such as recycled material use, we are developing projects that make a difference in these areas. In line with our sustainability vision, we are converting scientific and technical knowledge into effective projects through cooperation with academic institutions, universities, startups, public institutions and EU bodies."

Nature-respectful production, contribution to circular economy

The company, which stands out with renewable energy investments, produces clean and renewable energy with biomass energy plants and solar power plants that will meet the annual electricity needs of 100,000 homes and prevents annual carbon emissions of 140,000 tons. The Adana and Kastamonu solar facilities generate a total of 26 million kWh of energy annually, while the Balıkesir and Kastamonu ORC biomass plants convert 340,000 tons of biomass waste into energy, producing over 200 million kWh of electricity.

In 2023, the company signed many projects in energy savings and renewable energy, meeting 67% of direct energy consumption from renewable sources. Kastamonu Entegre, which meets 8% of its water needs through recycling, also minimizes environmental impacts through zero waste practices. In waste management efforts, it achieves 97.99% recycling and recovery rate, maintaining its commitment to circular economy principles.