INDUSTRY FOCUS: METALLURGY

of a sustainable and clearly understood culture as a key element in the company’s strategy.

One Team

In 2015, Ferroglobe became the business we know today through a merger between Grupo FerroAtlantica and Globe Speciality Metals. A major global corporate was the end result, headquartered from London and Madrid. Ensuring a thriving company culture came out of the merger was difficult, but it was achieved, and this allowed for the implementation of the strategic plan underway now.

“Mergers are always complex, because they involve reorganising different business projects, with different corporate environments and legacies, and this is always a challenge at the operational, financial and people management levels. This complexity is even greater in global companies,” admits Levi.

“With everyone’s efforts, we have worked on reaching the necessary internal engagement to achieve the desire for the new Ferroglobe cultural change with a fundamental principle: we are One Company, One Brand, One Team. In the last three years, the Communication and People & Culture departments have promoted multiple initiatives to achieve this objective, related to the engagement of our people and their active participation in the company.”

Both Grupo FerroAtlantica and Globe Speciality Metals saw the potential for significant growth in the renewable energy space – specifically silicon used in solar panels. Used as a semiconductor material in solar cells and computer chips, silicon is immensely popular but requires an expensive manufacturing process. When complete, this process turns raw materials into products in high demand, at high value. For example, ferro alloys products are used to strengthen steel products while also reducing fatigue and improving corrosion resistance. Manganese is used for similar reasons but has applications across rubber, glass, ceramics, fertiliser and more. The range of uses for Ferroglobe products, and the global appeal from manufacturers and end-users is one of the key elements in the company’s attractiveness. Internally, the importance of operations is not lost on those on the front line.

“We have made sure to generate awareness among our employees of how Ferroglobe’s advanced metallurgical products are contributing to create a greener industry and a more sustainable society,” highlights Levi.

“Thanks to a fluid relationship with all employees on a global level, we believe to have managed a new perception that we are a company that creates value in major industries such as aluminium, chemical and steel, which are then destined to crucial end-products for the energy transition such as lithium batteries, semiconductors and solar photovoltaics.”

Clearly, the new strategy and the Value Creation Program has been embraced by employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and all stakeholders. The plan now is to achieve further growth and make the most of positive momentum.

“Although we find ourselves in a challenging global context, our strategy is meeting our financial targets, positioning Ferroglobe in a strong financial position to keep growing,” confirms Levi.

AMBITION: SUSTAINABILITY

Growth for Ferroglobe will be aligned with the development of new industries in power, automotive, construction, manufacturing, and others – all with the energy transition and sustainability in mind. The company is keen on not only market share improvement and leadership, but also becoming the reference in health and safety and innovation.

“Innovation and sustainability were established as crucial commitments within Ferroglobe’s transformation and strategic plan, aligned with the historical commitment of our company,” details Levi.

She adds that a current focus is the production of high-purity silicon metal to assist in becoming the marketleading supplier for batteries and solar.

“Through innovation and our expertise, we are producing a critical material for the advancement of cost-effective and low-carbon footprint solutions, which are contributing to accelerate the energy transition in sectors such as electric mobility and solar power.”

To aid this growth, two previously idled plants have been restarted, the first in Alabama, USA, in early 2022, and the second in Polokwane, South Africa at the end of 2022. The company is also busy starting silicon production at its Puertollano facility in Spain, using advanced technology and robotic automation.

Also at the end of 2022, Ferroglobe signed a partnership agreement with Trinseo – a specialist materials