Sports Car Manufacturer Supports Sustainable Mining of Mica in India:
Porsche joins multi-stakeholder Responsible Mica Initiative
Business Wire
STUTTGART, Germany & PARIS -- October 14, 2020
Porsche has joined the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI). This cross-industry
coalition of international companies and non-governmental organizations is
campaigning for transparency and improved working conditions in mica supply
chains. The raw material is used in numerous industrial and cosmetic products.
As an automotive manufacturer, Porsche also contributes to the global
consumption of the raw material through use of mica in car paints. The sports
car manufacturer represents the Volkswagen Group in the Responsible Mica
Initiative.
India is one of the world’s most important mica producers. The local mining
regions of Jharkhand and Bihar are marked by poverty. As part of internal
analyses of selected paint supply chains, right back to the extraction of the
raw material, Porsche identified potential sustainability risks in mica
mining. The sports car manufacturer is working intensively with suppliers to
ensure transparent and sustainable utilisation of the raw material mica.
“For Porsche, responsibility begins a long way from the factory gates. We
require our suppliers to comply with internationally recognised social and
environmental standards. The mining of raw materials is an important factor in
that,” says Uwe-Karsten Städter, Member of the Executive Board responsible for
Procurement at Porsche AG. “Through our involvement in the Responsible Mica
Initiative, we are taking responsibility for our impact on India’s mining
regions. We want to improve people’s lives on the ground through concrete
projects. We will also play an active role in developing and implementing
sustainable industry standards.”
“Our growing initiative already has over 60 member organizations from various
sectors. We are delighted that Porsche is now also contributing important
supply chain expertise as an automotive manufacturer. With Porsche as a
member, we can broaden our base even further but mainly, increase positive
impact for the mica communities globally,” says Fanny Frémont, Executive
Director of the Responsible Mica Initiative.
The Responsible Mica Initiative was founded in Paris in 2017. Under its first
– out of 3 main – working areas, it develops and implements global standards
for mica mining and processing. These standards aim to address fair working
conditions, safety and minimum wages. Organisations that join the Responsible
Mica Initiative commit to adopting these standards.
By joining the Responbsible Mica Initiative, Porsche will join forces with
RMI’s current members and also contribute to the two other working areas,
namely support empowerment of mica-communities through increased livelihoods
and access to quality education, as well as enforcement of a proper policy and
regulation framework.
About the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI)
RMI is a global Coalition for Action comprised of multiple organisations
committed to establishing a fair, responsible and sustainable mica supply
chain in India that will eliminate unacceptable working conditions and
eradicate child labour by 2022. RMI uses a multi-stakeholder and holistic
approach that engages companies, civil society organisations, industry
associations and governments to develop and implement three integrated program
pillars that will establish responsible workplace standards, empower local
communities and support establishment of a legal framework for the mica
sector.
To know more, visit: https://responsible-mica-initiative.com
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201014005050/en/
Contact:
Media:
Fanny Fremont, Executive Director
Responsible Mica Initiative
contact@responsible-mica-initiative.com
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