THE DEBRIEF used to ensure that it comes from a specific green source . This encourages the development of new green energy sources . It is not a direct wire PPA with a specific nearby wind farm , but nor is it simple offsetting .
Could you explain how EnviroBuild integrates intelligent design and innovative manufacturing processes to reduce input material while maintaining the durability and operational lifespan of its products ?
That ’ s an excellent question . An interesting point on our bestselling Explorer decking is its hollow nature . By having an internal I-Beam type structure there is significantly reduced weight and carbon impact whilst having a very minor effect on the overall strength of the board .
With regards to minimising material input into the aluminium , we ’ re partnered with an aluminium mill that can press aluminium to a thickness of just 1.5mm . On portions of the cross-section which aren ’ t the limiting fact in strength , this allows minimisation of weight . This can be calculated in advance through off-theshelf software .
How else does EnviroBuild employ technology and data-driven approaches to accurately quantify and communicate the environmental benefits of its sustainable building materials in terms of reduced carbon footprint and resource conservation ?
Undertaking an accurate Life Cycle Assessment for each of the materials that we sell has been the most instructive thing that we ’ ve done . It ’ s allowed us to hone in on specific inputs and mitigate the most easily achievable .
The data sources for these are usually taken from specialist databases with our utilising the most up-to-date information from the Swiss , not-for-profit , Ecoinvent .
How do you envision the integration of cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of construction , and what role do you see EnviroBuild playing in driving these advancements to further enhance environmental sustainability in the wider industry ?
This is incredibly difficult and a challenge that we look at every day at EnviroBuild . I see the biggest problem in construction simply being the pace at which innovation is picked up . There are so many examples of products being used poorly ( historically something like asbestos which still hampers the industry to this day , or the recent issue around using incorrect concrete in schools , or the tragically dangerous cladding used at Grenfell ) that the movement of the industry is , somewhat necessarily , slow . Beyond that there are important questions to be asked about reducing the initial carbon intensity of buildings , be that reuse of existing structures or materials or lower carbon intensity original materials . There are also issues in the performance gap between how a building is predicted to use energy and how it actually does , we may call it ‘ The Performance Gap .’ Some of the largest questions , like the decarbonisation of concrete , figuring out how to use less steel or the increase in off-site construction are not where we ’ re experts . There is great innovation going on in those spaces , but by companies better placed than us .
Our current plan is to start investing and working with a multitude of early-stage start-ups where we can bring our expertise and help them grow and reach the market faster than they otherwise would have . This will be alongside bringing complementary products to bear on the categories where we are already strong . �
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