EICC certification confirms that HC Starck uses only raw materials from conflict-free areas

MUNICH, April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- HC Starck, one of the leading manufacturers of refractory metals and advanced ceramics, uses only ethically sourced, conflict-free tantalum. This has been confirmed by a positive certification HC Starck has received from the independent Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition.

Dr. Andreas Meier, President and CEO of HC Starck, said: "We expect our suppliers to meet the highest ethical standards. The EICC certification is a recognition of the great efforts we have made in recent years to ensure the supply of conflict-free raw materials. Our company has established strict global raw material procurement guidelines, and we have integrated comprehensive sustainability criteria into our procurement processes. The effectiveness of all these measures has been confirmed by the successful EICC certification."

HC Starck launched its own Responsible Supply Chain Management System (RSCM) for raw material procurement in early 2010. The system ensures efficient competitive procurement and helps avoid sourcing raw materials from conflict areas or suppliers that fail to comply with environmental and social sustainability principles. The system meets all the requirements of the management system standards set by ISO. External audit agency Bureau Veritas can confirm that the system has been successfully implemented at HC Starck.

Dr. John van Put, Senior Vice President of the Tantalum, Niobium, Surface Technologies & Ceramic Powders business unit, explains: “With the Responsible Supply Chain Management System, we are able to implement an efficient tool for the raw material procurement process. But the EICC certification is still the most important proof to show our customers that we use conflict-free raw materials. This is why the EICC certification strengthens our position as a reliable supplier that only sources ethically produced raw materials from conflict-free areas.”

In order to successfully obtain EICC certification, companies must have an effective system to continuously track the origin of the raw materials they use to ensure that they come from conflict-free areas. The term "conflict raw materials" applies to tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold mines in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries. Tantalum is a popular raw material in the electronics industry, enabling the production of ultra-small capacitors for use in devices such as laptops, cameras or medical devices. HC Starck is a leading producer of high-capacity tantalum powders for the production of ultra-small, high-performance capacitors.