Sustainability
Commitment to a Better, Safer, More Connected Tomorrow
Overview
KEMET Corporation is a leader in technology and a materials science company. As a global manufacturer of passive electronic components, including multilayer ceramic, tantalum film, and aluminum (solid and electrolytic) capacitors, Electro-Magnetic Compatible ("EMC") devices, sensors, and actuators, we control hundreds of patents worldwide and manufacture thousands of unique products. We are headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and have 22 manufacturing plants located across North America, Europe, and Asia, employing over 13,000 people worldwide. We believe strong companies build strong communities, and strong communities build strong companies. Our rich culture of citizenship dates back 100 years and continues to thrive at our company today. We are firmly committed to exercising our social responsibility through philanthropic donations and actively addressing the global challenges of improving and strengthening our communities and people’s lives.
In furtherance of our commitment to environmental, health, safety, and social sustainability, KEMET has instituted a Sustainability Council to provide direction and focus in support of our Facilities, Environmental, Health, and Safety (FEHS) Policy, our Global Code of Conduct, and our commitment to the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct. The Sustainability Council has oversight responsibility to ensure internal awareness of, and compliance to, current applicable environmental legislation, regulations, and requirements and the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Environmental, Health, and Safety Management System.
Conflict Minerals
Supply Chain Policy
As part of KEMET Electronics Corporation’s (KEMET) commitment to corporate social responsibility, it is our goal to source tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold and cobalt (“Conflict Affected Minerals”) in a manner which will not directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its adjoining countries, or in any region determined to be a conflict affected and high risk area (CAHRA) as defined in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chain of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (OECD Guidance), which include any entities therein. KEMET will immediately discontinue doing business with any supplier found to be purchasing materials which directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in these regions. As part of our management systems, KEMET has adopted the OECD Guidance and will implement, where appropriate, the five-step framework for risk-based due diligence in the mineral supply chain including Annex II found in the OECD Guidance. KEMET’s smelting and refining operation has been validated to be compliant under the independent third-party audit process found in the Responsible Minerals Initiative’s (RMI) Responsible Minerals Assurance Program (“RMAP”). KEMET will rely on this independent third-party audit process to supplement our internal due diligence of all Conflict Affected Mineral suppliers. KEMET complies with section 1502 “Conflict Minerals” of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act due diligence requirements.
In support of our Supply Chain Policy, KEMET expects all suppliers of Conflict Affected Minerals to:
- Comply with the Responsible Business Alliance Code of Conduct;
- Adopt a supply chain policy aligned with our Supply Chain Policy;
- Source Conflict Affected Minerals only from smelters who have been validated as compliant with the RMAP by an independent third party; and
- Provide Conflict Affected Minerals supply chain due diligence information via the RMI’s Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) and Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT).
This policy is communicated to all suppliers through either purchase agreements or KEMET’s Purchase Order Terms and Conditions.
Effective: May 2024
Conflict-Free Tantalum Sourcing Initiative
As the world’s largest user of tantalum, KEMET took an early leadership position in the industry on the issue of obtaining certified conflict-free minerals. The KEMET Partnership for Social and Economic Sustainability program is the industry’s most comprehensive social sustainability and economic program focused on meeting the short and long-term needs of all stakeholders in the KEMET tantalum supply chain. This program includes a conflict-free and vertically integrated tantalum supply chain.
Tantalum Ore and Risk in Tantalum Supply Chain
Marc Runyan
Director, Tantalum Sourcing and Supply Chain
Email: marc.runyan@yageo.com
Kristin Thackston
Tantalum Sourcing Compliance Coordinator
Email: kristin.thackston@yageo.com
Contacts for Conflict Minerals Reporting Data
Ryan Piller
Compliance and Sustainability Analyst
Email: Ryan.Piller@yageo.com
Jessica Firpo
Director, Compliance and Sustainability
Email: Jessica.Firpo@yageo.com
Environmental
Environmental, Health and Safety
Our health and safety measures are rooted in our safety-oriented culture and extend beyond rules and standards. We believe every workplace injury or illness is preventable, which is why we invest in and incorporate safe practices and procedures in our employees’ daily routines. We are also committed to the protection of the environment, including prevention of pollution, adverse health effects, occupational hazards and other specific commitments relevant to the context of the organization. We are committed to the protection of people and the environment in a sustainable manner to prevent climate change and maintain biodiversity and ecosystems. We meet or exceed compliance obligations as well as any other requirements that may be deemed necessary for the protection of humans and the environment. We are committed to continual improvement of our environmental management system to enhance environmental performance.
Social
Being a part of our team means having the courage to do the right thing, that is, making sure our conduct is always shaped by integrity and transparency, whether we are on or away from the job. As a core company principle, we are committed to doing the right thing, and this principle underlies all of our decisions and actions. Our Global Code of Conduct is a crucial tool to guide us in our efforts to behave with integrity, and we encourage all employees to take the time to review it and keep it in mind as a resource.
While our Code cannot address every situation we face, it does provide a firm foundation upon which our employees can base sound decisions that are consistent with our Mission, Vision, and Values. We all have a role in making sure KEMET is conducted the right way and that we always follow our Code, our policies, and the law.
Ethics Hotline
YAGEO Group’s Ethics Hotline may be used to raise ethical concerns and/or report suspected violations of our Global Code of Conduct in a confidential and/or anonymous manner and without fear of reprisals. Retaliation against anyone for speaking up about a potential violation is against the law and YAGEO Group policy. The Ethics Hotline may be accessed at YAGEOGroupEthicsHotline.ethix360.com.
Governance
We believe strong companies build strong communities, and strong communities build strong companies. Our rich culture of citizenship dates back more than 100 years and continues to thrive at our company today. We are firmly committed to exercising our social responsibility through philanthropic donations and actively addressing the global challenges of improving and strengthening our communities and people’s lives.
Our pledge is to specifically support organizations that provide services to our communities and strive to be a positive example of civic leadership. This is accomplished through encouraging employee volunteerism, charitable giving, and being visible contributors to organizations that support programs focusing on helping children and disadvantaged youth, education and technology, and supporting the arts and culture. We have also provided assistance during large-scale disasters in those areas where we have a presence.
Organizations We Support: American Heart Association, International Red Cross, Clemson University, ECIA, FIRST, Junior Achievement, Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (TIC), United Way, Kisengo Foundation.