ISO certifications and environmental efforts
International standard for environmental management
AVK complies with the internationally accepted ISO 14001 standard, which provides a foundation for eco-management in companies. We work continuously to fulfil local environmental standards and minimise our environmental impacts in terms of processes and materials.
We are proud of having obtained several other certifications as well. It demonstrates our reliability as global leaders when it comes to creating solutions considering the environmental impact:
- ISO 9001 – Quality management
- ISO 29001 – Quality management in the oil & gas industry
- ISO 14001 – Environmental management
- ISO 50001 – Energy Management
- ISO 45001 – Occupational health and safety management
EcoVadis sustainability rating
AVK International has been awarded an EcoVadis silver medal. EcoVadis have rated more than 100,000 companies across the world, and we are proud that our efforts have earned us a spot among the top 20% of all rated companies and even among the top 8% of rated companies within the manufacture of general-purpose machinery industry. We will continuously focus on contributing to a more sustainable future. Read more about AVK’s efforts and goals in our sustainability report.
EcoVadis performs business sustainability ratings based on a number of CSR related indicators within the themes environment, labor & human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. The methodology is built on international sustainability standards, and the rating evaluates how well a company has integrated the principles of sustainability and CSR into their business and management system. Performance is rated by assessing company policies, actions and results as well as by inputs from third-party and external stakeholders.
Recent initiatives at AVK International
Energy management initiatives:
- New preheating process via heat exchanger prior to coating and new conveyors driven by frequency-controlled motors
- New low-energy ventilation systems at offices and factory and LED light sources with movement sensors
- Solar panels on the roof of our buildings in Skovby expected to reduce our CO2 emissions by 128 tonnes per year
- From gas driven space heating to electrical heating pumps in our factory in Skovby and in our distribution centre and to central heating system in our factory in Galten
We also work on documenting our environmental impact. Our first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for standard gate valves has been prepared and is available for download at our websites. GWP (Global Warming Potential) values are stated on the datasheets of products covered by the EPD. Our goal is to offer EPDs for our entire product range.
In addition, we have prepared a GHG (Greenhouse Gas) baseline report to be used as internal basis and reference for continuous improvements in our processes.
Environmental efforts in the AVK Group
At the AVK Advanced Castings foundry, supplying the AVK Group with castings for valves and hydrants and other metal castings, we use the innovative lost foam method. This method allows for an improvement in performance, since it does not require finishing of the castings and, consequently, it reduces energy consumption and the amount of particle emissions into the atmosphere. In addition, the production of a large amount of our castings is based on recycled scrap iron.
Every year, AVK’s production of primarily plastic pallets and surface boxes is based on more than 24,000 tons of recycled plastics at our production sites AVK Plast in Denmark and AVK Plastics in The Netherlands. The recycled plastics material that we use includes plastic bottle caps that have been grinded and cutting waste from recycled airbags. When sold as new quality products, the lifetime of plastics is increased by approx. 50 years.
The AVK Group has strict requirements and standards for energy and water consumption its production companies must meet. Consequently, all companies make great efforts to reduce consumption wherever they can. Also, it is our objective that we always dispose of discarded materials in an environmentally sound way, and that all our production companies in the long-term meet the requirement of zero waste to landfill.
A safe work environment is top priority at AVK
AVK is a global company operating worldwide and must as such take different circumstances and conditions in different countries into account and the consequent risks. In all countries where AVK is present, it is fundamental to act responsibly towards employees, environment and the surrounding society. The AVK Group keeps a close watch on all business units and ensures through regular visits that all AVK companies comply with the defined principles.
We carefully monitor the number of work-related accidents and work proactively on preventive measures. The result of this is a steady decline in the number of accidents. We also ensure maintenance, inspection and development of working conditions, equipment and tools that are necessary to complete a given business process.
The AVK Group has agreed to adhere to standards that our suppliers must adhere to as well in order to become a certified supplier of the Group. Sustainability is vital for us throughout the entire supply chain. Therefore, we only cooperate with partners with high ethical standards, who are strongly committed to comply with international legislation in the field of labour.
