Corporate Social Responsibility/ Sustainability

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is important to IHC Merwede, as it is aware of the possible effects of the equipment it produces, as well as the effects of the actual production process on the environment and the direct surroundings of the yards. IHC Merwede is also concerned with the well-being and safety of its employees. Therefore the company is continuously looking for the balance between People, Planet and Profit.

By operating in a sustainable way IHC Merwede can deliver efficient and innovative products with a low ‘cost-of-ownership’ and optimal environmental performance. To do so, a list of sustainability principles was defined, which includes amongst others the improvement of energy efficiency and elimination of harmful emissions. The vision of IHC Merwede is that these principles apply both to the products delivered and to its own production process. At MTI Holland a team of specialists focuses on supporting the IHC Merwede business units in how to apply these principles to their specific activities, processes and products.

Regarding the production process, all relevant aspects varying from materials used in the production to office supplies and from energy consumption to waste streams are evaluated. For example at one of the bigger yards of IHC Merwede an elaborate analysis of energy consumption was performed with the goal of bringing down consumption levels to reduce the environmental impact and minimise costs. 

The development of sustainable products is not new to IHC Merwede. An example is the testing of a fuel cell (high efficiency, low emission technology) to power the electrical equipment on board a cutter suction dredger. During the testing the fuel cell was exposed to typical dredging conditions: vibration, dust, water, dynamic load and ship’s movements, with promising results.