Fiven has developed several sustainable products and solutions that help reduce the environmental impact of various industries and contribute to the green shift. We produce silicon carbide, a material that finds application in batteries, charging stations for electrical vehicles, power converters in electrical cars, filters for exhaust gases, and many more.
Silicon carbide (SiC) is produced in electrical resistance furnaces. A mixture of carbon material (usually petroleum coke) and silica or quartz sand is reacted chemically at high temperatures in the range of 1700 – 2500°C. Capturing and filtering the emissions is a big challenge due to the amount of gas and the heat resulting from the process. Fiven is taking actions to reduce these emissions or compensating for emissions to develop a sustainable production process for silicon carbide.
In 2020 Fiven created an environmental roadmap focusing on three key areas: emissions to air, water withdrawal, and waste. To create an even stronger link between the company's financial success and the impact of its operations on the environment, Fiven has entered a Sustainability Link Bond financing in 2021. This means Fiven has linked its financing to the improvement of environmental indicators, critical for the industry, over the following years.
In addition, the Fiven Group has received the Ecovadis sustainability certification in silver in 2023. The certification evaluates environmental, social, and ethical performance. The silver rating places Fiven in the top 25% of all companies assessed by Ecovadis. The rating underscores the ambition to improve its sustainability program. Fiven has received a lot of interest and positive feedback from its customers and believes this type of third-party review is a valuable tool to provide unbiased feedback on a company’s actions.
In July 2022, Fiven in Brazil completed the planting of 116,000 tree seedlings, among native species of the Atlantic Forest and eucalyptus. This was one of the most ambitious environmental projects carried out in the Minas Gerais region for many years and a cornerstone project of Fiven’s sustainability roadmap.
The purpose of the planting is to create an environmental refugium on land belonging to Fiven. The total of 70ha will enable Fiven to continue its efforts on sustainability projects, thereby creating an area for growth and multiplication of the existing native fauna in these areas. In addition to the benefits of developing and preserving the region's flora and fauna, the project aims to increase carbon capture from the air, reducing the greenhouse effect.
Following this project, Fiven also initiated the founding of a new tree nursery in the city of Barbacena. The objective is to cultivate 10,000/year seedlings of native and ornamental trees, in an area of approximately 400 m², which will be carefully distributed to the urban and rural population of Barbacena, promoting the reforestation of areas in the municipality and region, contributing to the preservation and revitalization of the environment, providing new green areas, and preserving springs.
Moreover, the project provides environmental education and training actions for people to whom the seedlings will be donated, promoting environmental awareness among the population, especially students, through lectures and workshops. After the donations, there will be actions to monitor the planting to ensure the healthy growth of the trees.
“The new nursery is an important step for Fiven to further engage with the local community for a greener and healthier environment,” said Thiago Barros, General Manager of Fiven in Brazil.
To reduce water withdrawals from groundwater, Fiven has installed a rainwater collection system at its Barbacena plant. All rainwater canals are directed to decantation lagoons, where the water is stored and can be reused as industrial water. The collected water is used to cool the furnaces and to reduce dust emissions when the furnaces are unloaded. The amount collected depends, of course, on the annual rainfall. In 2021, Fiven collected about 8% of the total amount of water extracted from the wells and surface, and in the first half of 2022, about 11% of the total water. Fiven also recycles the water used in the production process after it has been properly treated and can be reused as industrial water.
Fiven’s mission of shaping industries can only be achieved through continued commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality products for its global customer base. As a worldwide leader within its industry, Fiven aims to utilize its global reach and manufacturing experience to drive change across the value chain.
You can learn more about Fiven's ESG program on our website.