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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
"As competition for resources intensifies, assessing the value of environmental and social impact, as well as opportunities, is vital. It will prove instrumental for anticipating future developments and gaining a competitive advantage. While currently these factors are not accounted for in the cost of goods, this is bound to reflect eventually. At Ambuja, Sustainability has always been at the core of all our operations. In order to lead the way one must attain the role through actions.

This will only happen when we give back more to the environment than what we take from it. To help us build competitiveness through Sustainability we have launched the True Value project with support from KPMG. The aim is two-pronged: one, to take into account the company’s operations on society and the environment; and secondly, to maximise future profitability. Hence, the True Value project would help us understand both the impact as well as gain insights to the value that could be at risk by 2020. All the levers of True Value such as alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR), plastic, and water, help us reduce cost. A sustained effort at cost reduction can help us stay years ahead of the competition. Industries would do well to take note of the evolving need for True Value. Findings of the recently conducted True Value study showed that overall, ACL shows a positive financial impact on net environmental and social values.

It also highlighted where the company needs to invest in reducing negative values – especially in the environmental domain. The study specifically showed that ACL could profitably maximise its True Value by focusing its resources on carbon emissions, water and further expanding its social engagements. Even as a lot of work is being done on different aspects of the True Value project, the Ambuja Cement Foundation is a big force for the company in generating positives. Now is the time to think more broadly. It is essential to fully integrate the True Value concept in business processes, and revalidate our 2020 Sustainability ambitions. We should not only look to reduce costs and impact but also generate more positives, with lower investment. And we must focus our thinking on the triple bottom-line performance of the company. Together they will put us ahead, on the right path, for the future.

Onne van der Weijde Managing Director