From this standpoint, the company works daily to share scientific results related to smoke-free alternatives so that the 7 million smokers in the country know the importance and benefits of these options that have not yet been marketed locally.
In order to move forward on this path, Masalin Particulars has identified priorities and areas of work, divided into two main axes: commercial impact, from a product point of view, and operational impact. In each of these axes, the company implements programs in the environmental, social and governance dimensions.
In this framework, one can highlight, for example, a process Reducing the company’s environmental footprintWhich combined two principles: on the one hand, good energy management practices and investment in process improvement and efficiency.
During 2022, improvements were made to the steam condensate network and thermal energy recovery; Systems are integrated into production machines so that they automatically shut down in the event of prolonged downtime; Motion sensors have been installed in low-traffic areas to avoid illuminating areas that do not need it. In this way, electrical energy consumption was reduced by more than 2000 kilowatts. In addition, replacing the use of fossil energy is key to reducing your carbon footprint. For this reason, 14% of the electrical energy consumed at the Merlot plant comes from renewable sources. In addition, to compensate for CO2 emissions, Internationally Certified Renewable Energy Bonds (IREC) have been obtained. These measures, combined with increased process efficiency, have allowed the Massalin Particulares plant to reach the goal of being carbon neutral in 2022.
Another important advance relates to Water managementA vital resource whose quality is essential to protect human health and ecosystems. One strategy that Masalin has implemented to reduce groundwater consumption is to reuse treated effluents in non-production processes. In 2022, 628 cubic meters of liquid waste were reused in cooling towers. Likewise, new flow meters and water consumption data recording systems were installed, improving the quality of information available and reducing uncertainty.
This strategy, combined with other measures, allowed the company last year to become the first Argentine company to adopt the Alliance for Water Stewardship’s international standard on the responsible use of this resource.
In another matter, the company assumed the obligation Significantly reduce waste generation. One of the measures was to promote the circular economy with suppliers, reusing various materials such as pallets, paper reel liners, cardboard boxes where we receive our tobacco, among many others.
Recyclable waste is sent for recycling, organic waste is processed into their own compost bins, tobacco is used to amend organic soil and production scrap is used along with other solid waste as alternative energy. Of the total waste generated in 2022, 88% was recycled and only 0.52% was disposed of in landfill.
On the social side, the company has implemented various policies to promote a safe and inclusive work environment and promote fair working conditions that ensure respect for human rights. In collaboration with the Consciousness Association, Massalin Particulares has been implementing the Porvenir program for twenty years. In its 2022 edition, the initiative was able to accompany more than 1,000 children and adolescents and keep them away from the dangers of child labor, in addition to providing support to their families.
One of Masaline’s greatest pride is the diversity of its teams, which is key to strengthening the organization. In Argentina there are more than 200 collaborators who come from other nationalities and cultures. In addition, the equality policy is evident in the decision to reward men and women doing equal jobs equally, which allowed Masalin to become the third PMI affiliate globally to achieve pay equity certification in 2018.
Finally, with regard to governance, within a management scheme that includes responsibilities at all levels of the organization, the company has put in place various procedures to Preventing illicit tradewhich includes campaigns for Creating awareness among consumers, distributors and kiosks, in alliance with organizations, chambers and cooperatives in the sector.
