At RHI Magnesita, we are committed to projects that enhance the quality of life in the communities where we operate. With sites spanning across diverse regions and contexts, we take a tailored, inclusive approach to understanding the unique needs of each community. By engaging with various societal sectors, we ensure that the voices of our stakeholders are heard through regular consultations. This collaborative approach allows us to identify key priorities and address local concerns effectively.
As an active partner in our communities, we work closely with local NGOs to create a robust framework of initiatives that deliver lasting, positive social impact. This effort aligns with the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, focusing on three core areas: Education & Youth Development, Health & Medical Care, and the Environment.
RHI Magnesita recognizes and respects indigenous peoples, their rights and heritage, knowledge, and practices. None of the Group’s operational sites are located close to any indigenous communities. RHI Magnesita supports the strengthening of legal recognition for indigenous territories including protection against illegal mining and guaranteeing indigenous people a strong voice in local and global dialogues that affect their future.
RHI Magnesita’s approach to communities has been developed based on the UN Global Compact.
As part of our commitment to community development, RHI Magnesita has undertaken significant efforts to revamp and build schools in our communities in India. Through these initiatives we focus on enhancing the learning environment for students in the regions of Bhagana, Milkapur, Rajwada, and Khanpur, initiated by our Bhiwadi plant. Our efforts include the construction of new libraries, classrooms, and toilet blocks, along with the installation of modern furniture to create a more comfortable and inspiring space for education. Additionally, we have incorporated sustainable energy solutions by installing solar panels, promoting both environmental responsibility and long-term cost savings for the schools. In 2022 a school building was constructed on the premises in Cuttack.
A free sociocultural initiative aimed at children, teenagers, and young people residing in the municipality of Brumado, Brazil. The project started in 2020, and now over 120 children (aged ten to 14) per year participate. with weekly music workshops (recorder, violin), and in 2023, dance and theater were added, contributing to the cultural development of the participants. For 2024, the inclusion of two more instruments (cellos and acoustic double basses). Identid’Art aims to promote culture and musical education as a catalyst for social inclusion for the participants, their families and local society.
RHI Magnesita proudly supports Teach for Austria, an impactful initiative that empowers teachers through a transformative two-year program. This program is designed to positively impact students aged 11-14 from challenging backgrounds, with a recent expansion to also include children aged 3-6. Each teacher in the program (named fellows) reaches approximately 100 children yearly, equipping them with the skills and support needed to succeed and thrive. Through our long-lasting collaboration with TFA, RHI Magnesita commits to helping create lasting educational opportunities and a brighter future for all.
RHI Magnesita is proud to support VRD Trust Hospital near our Vizag plant. This hospital offers essential medical services, including consultations, lab tests, and free medicines to nearby villages. Our donations help cover doctors’ salaries and medicine costs, ensuring continued access to crucial healthcare for underserved populations. This initiative reflects our dedication to improving community health and well-being where we operate.
Project to expand access to the diagnosis and surgery of neurological tumors. To be carried out in Salvador (the capital of Bahia in Brazil). This project is supported by PRONON (National Program for the Support of Cancer Care) and is a tax incentive project.
In June 2023, RHI Magnesita launched a public welfare initiative focused on supporting disabled individuals in the community. Through a series of activities, including a donation of 100,000 RMB, providing stationery and snacks to disabled children, and visiting rural disabled households, we aim to improve their quality of life. We also visited the Chongqing Disabled Badminton Team and the home of disabled calligrapher Huang Guofu to show our respect and encouragement. This initiative reflects our commitment to social responsibility and demonstrates our ongoing efforts to give back to society, creating positive change and promoting social harmony.
The Pedra Viva Community Garden project aims to promote a healthier lifestyle and generate income for the local community in Pedra Preta. The initiative involves a 2,500 m² garden, offering classes on planting care, food production, and entrepreneurship. The investment covers supplies such as seeds, maintenance (e.g., garden beds, hoses), and the services of a monitor and an agronomist, who also supports home gardens. By the end of 2023 a restroom was constructed on the premises. The administration is supported in their reporting and communication. 201 community members are positively affected by the garden.
This circular economy initiative combines environmental sustainability with social impact. A small carpentry and broom factory recycles 14,000 PET bottles monthly, with the finished products sold in over 60 regional supermarkets. The profits fund wages for more than 40 families in Campo Seco, a remote community in Brumado, improving their quality of life and creating a community hub.
By producing eco-friendly brooms, the project generates economic benefits while contributing to environmental preservation, demonstrating the power of sustainability and social responsibility in driving positive change.
The RHI Magnesita Green Cup is an environmental innovation competition launched in 2019 to inspire college students in China to develop energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies. In partnership with Dalian Polytechnic University and local educational bodies, the competition encourages students to propose practical solutions in areas such as energy conservation, new energy, waste treatment, and eco-friendly materials.
The event has grown from an internal university competition to a provincial-level initiative, engaging over 500 students annually from universities across Liaoning Province. The competition fosters innovation, promotes sustainable development, and strengthens the collaboration between academia and industry. With prizes and recognition for outstanding projects, the Green Cup aims to cultivate young talent and contribute to the creation of a greener, low-carbon society.
While RHI Magnesita’s global sustainability efforts are typically guided by our three key pillars—Education & Youth Development, Environment, and Health & Medical Care we recognize that each region has its own unique needs. India faces specific infrastructure challenges that go beyond our standard focus areas but are vital for the well-being of local communities. As part of our commitment to supporting the local population and fostering sustainable development, we’ve undertaken critical infrastructure projects.
The Cuttack plant is located along the NH 16 – Damaka Village Road, a key route used by many workers and villagers. Unfortunately, the road is in poor condition, especially during the rainy season, which causes significant hardships for residents who rely on it for daily activities such as commuting to work, school, hospitals, and markets. In response to multiple requests from the community, RHI Magnesita is supporting the repair and construction of a new, durable road that will improve accessibility for the entire region.
In the village of Venkatapuram, the local population has long faced challenges with a muddy, impassable road, especially for farmers heading to their paddy fields. In addition, the village’s burial ground, which is crucial for the community, was in disrepair and lacked essential facilities. RHI Magnesita is undertook the development of this road, converting it into a proper concrete road that will help farmers access their fields more easily.
RHI Magnesita has undertaken various projects in Vizag, Cuttack, Khambhalia, Dalmiapuram, and Rajgangpur to enhance living standards in the communities around its operations. These projects include road construction, renovation of community centers, building bus shelters, and providing drinking water facilities.
These initiatives are tailored to meet the pressing needs of the local population, ensuring that infrastructure and community development are aligned with the region’s unique challenges.
RHI Magnesita encourages corporate volunteering as a key strategy to increase community engagement and make a positive impact on the communities in which it operates. Every employee in the Vienna headquarters has been assigned one working day of paid volunteer leave annually and has access to a program of monthly events to choose what they wish to participate in. Volunteering also occurs in Brazil where a pool of 130 colleagues goes out to support community projects regularly, as well as in China and in other regions. Besides volunteering, occasional fundraisers and drives are organized locally to support community members.
At RHI Magnesita, we understand that crises can strike unexpectedly, often leaving communities in need of immediate support. While we can’t always predict when or where these challenges will occur, we are committed to responding swiftly when emergencies affect the communities near our plants and sites. Whether it’s providing financial aid or mobilizing volunteers, we aim to offer tangible support during times of crisis, as we did during the flooding in Southern Brazil and the COVID-19 pandemic. Our priority is to stand by those in need, helping to rebuild and recover, one step at a time.