At GMA, sustainability is more than just a goal—it’s an integral part of our business strategy and corporate philosophy. This principle is reflected in our operations, partnerships, and the way we measure success—not only through productivity, but through long-term impact.

To further support this commitment, GMA's annual Sustainability Awards recognize customer achievements globally in used garnet returns and innovative sustainability initiatives. The program highlights the diverse and meaningful ways our customers and partners are contributing to environmental, social, and economic sustainability across the abrasive blasting and waterjet cutting industries.

“The Sustainability Awards give us a chance to formally recognize the work already being done across our global network,” said Grant Cox, CEO of GMA Garnet Group.

“Across regions and industries, our customers and partners are implementing practical, effective solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future. From closed-loop recycling systems to long-standing used garnet return programs, these efforts are often carried out quietly but have significant impact.

“This program is about acknowledging that progress, sharing ideas across our network, and reinforcing the role we each play in advancing sustainability—not just for our business, but for the communities and industries we’re part of.”

The awards are open to GMA customers and partners and celebrate a range of sustainability contributions—from individual innovation to sustained, high-volume used garnet returns. Whether you're a long-term partner or a new entrant, the program recognizes initiatives that reduce waste, extend the lifecycle of garnet, and support a more sustainable future for our industries.

As part of the broader effort to support responsible industry practices, partners like McDermott have reinforced the value of garnet reprocessing.

“Recycling garnet is a powerful example of how we can extend the life of materials, reduce waste, and lessen our environmental impact. We view initiatives like this as essential in transitioning to more sustainable engineering, procurement, construction, and installation practices, “said Sadaf Hameed, Senior Sustainability Manager at McDermott International.

Reflecting GMA’s commitment to environmental stewardship, each award aligns with one of our four core pillars—Health and Safety, Environment, Community, and Innovation.

“The awards reflect our intention to move beyond compliance and toward leadership in sustainability,” said Cameron Sargeant, Group People and Sustainability Manager at GMA Garnet Group.

“We see outstanding examples of circular practices and collaboration among our customers—many of whom are working in challenging environments. By highlighting these contributions, we aim to build collective momentum and keep raising the standard across the board.”

The Eight Award Categories include:

• GMA Partner Excellence Award – Abrasive Blasting
• GMA Partner Excellence Award – Waterjet Cutting
• Industry Leader Award – Contractor or Manufacturer
• Industry Leader Award – Asset Owner
• Industry Leader Award – Waterjet Cutting End User
• Top Global Returns Award
• Sustainability Champion Award
• Best New Entrant Participant Award

Winners of the 2025 GMA Sustainability Awards will be announced in June this year, providing an opportunity to highlight and share some of the most impactful sustainability practices from across our global network. These stories will help inform future efforts and encourage ongoing collaboration as we continue to embed sustainability into our operations and partnerships.

Learn more about the GMA's  Sustainability commitments HERE