At Shu Powders Africa, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s how we operate every day. We’re proud to share highlights from our 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, a reflection of our ongoing commitment to health and safety, environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing, people development, and community impact.
For us, it’s simple: we don’t believe in growth at any cost. We believe in progress with purpose.
Zero harm in action
Workplace safety remains our top priority, and 2024 marked another year of exceptional performance. We recorded zero lost-time injuries (LTI) and maintained our NOSA 5-star safety rating for the fifth consecutive year. Our Disabling Frequency Rate hit an all-time low, thanks to rigorous risk assessments, biological monitoring, and continuous investment in innovation.
We’ve also introduced advanced dust control systems like pneumatic powder conveying, further strengthening our safety-first culture.
“Zero Harm is not a slogan—it’s how we work.” Team safety meeting in progress at Shu Powders.
Cleaner air, safer workspaces
Occupational exposure to cobalt dust is a serious industry challenge. At Shu Powders, it’s a challenge we meet head-on. Through daily dust monitoring, automated processing, and high-efficiency filtration, we’ve driven dust levels below even the newest, most stringent legal thresholds.
As a result, we’ve seen a significant reduction in non-conformances in both blood and urine monitoring—clear evidence that our controls are protecting employee health.
Investing in renewable energy
In response to South Africa’s energy crisis, we installed a 643kW solar PV system that now covers over 90% of our rooftop space. While full grid integration is scheduled for 2025, the system is already delivering results—cutting our carbon footprint, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and supporting green job creation.
Solar panels now cover over 90% of Shu Powders’ roof space, helping power a more sustainable operation. And data from inception in October 2023 to present.
Efficiency through environmental responsibility
From water usage to waste and fuel, we’ve made meaningful gains across our environmental focus areas:
- New leak detection software and recovery systems are optimising water use.
- In-house recycling and reuse initiatives have lowered hazardous waste volumes.
- Fuel consumption dropped in 2024, thanks to improved load-shedding conditions and smarter diesel use.
These efforts highlight how resilience and sustainability go hand in hand.
Closing the loop on cobalt recycling
Sustainable sourcing is especially critical in the cobalt industry. That’s why we’re expanding our commitment to circularity.
In 2024, our Brazilian partner Incasa expanded its industrial cobalt recycling refinery — another step towards a circular economy. This initiative reduces reliance on primary mining and supports a closed-loop production model that benefits people and the planet.
Shu Powders Circularity Roadmap drives cobalt recycling and closed-loop goals.
Empowering people at every level
We believe people drive progress. In 2024, we invested heavily in upskilling our workforce—supporting team members as they pursued qualifications from postgraduate diplomas to PhDs.
The results speak volumes:
- 66% of management roles are now held by women.
- 88% of leadership positions are filled by individuals from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
This is a culture of real, measurable inclusion—and it’s only growing stronger.
Recognised for responsibility
Our efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2024:
- We were honoured to serve as a jury member for the Lean Diamond Awards, recognising sustainable manufacturing excellence.
- We received the NOSA Sector D3 Award for outstanding performance in health, safety, and environmental responsibility.
- We earned an EcoVadis Bronze Medal, placing Shu Powders among globally recognised leaders in responsible business practices.
Shu Powders proudly earned the EcoVadis Bronze Medal for sustainability performance and served as a jury member in the Lean Diamond Awards, celebrating sustainable manufacturing excellence.
A future rooted in the community
Shu Powders isn’t just a workplace, it’s part of the local fabric. All employees live in the surrounding area, and our community engagement goes beyond financial support. We show up, participate, and contribute as a neighbour and partner.
As we look to 2025 and beyond, our focus is clear:
- Expanding our renewable energy efforts
- Strengthening our recycling capacity
- Deepening our supply chain transparency
- Continuing to build an inclusive and empowered workforce
Shu Powders’ sustainability focus areas guide our mission to create a safer, greener, and more ethical future.
We are proud of our progress, without a doubt. But more importantly, we’re energised by what’s still ahead.
Making sustainability a shared commitment
Sustainability is not a report we publish once a year: it’s a daily practice, embedded in every process, person, and partnership. From cobalt recycling to rooftop solar, from safety innovations to inclusive leadership, we’re not just meeting today’s standards, we’re building tomorrow’s.
Our 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report captures more than just achievements. It tells the story of a company driven by responsibility, innovation, and care. For our people, our planet, and the generations to come.
We know that true progress is never complete. That’s why we’ll continue to raise the bar, challenge assumptions, and push forward. Because we believe that how we work is just as important as what we make.
