Whether you’re working on a new build, extension or refurbishment, we can all play our part to make a difference and meet sustainability targets, as Hannah Sumner, senior product manager at Sika Everbuild explains.
Today’s homeowners are more environmentally conscious than ever before, with many actively choosing sustainable options, even if that comes at a higher cost. Being able to demonstrate to your customers that sustainability is something you take just as seriously is only going to become more important.
The main area to assess first is the products you use every day, and if it’s possible to choose the ‘greener’ option when selecting sealants and adhesives. Many manufacturers, including Sika Everbuild, are working hard to improve the sustainability of their products so there is a growing number of alternatives available which are less impactful on the environment. Manufacturers have invested a lot into developing products that meet sustainability credentials without affecting either their application or performance. Ultimately if a product doesn’t meet these criteria, it simply won’t be used, or will need to be replaced sooner – making them less sustainable overall.
An example of this constant product development came earlier this year when we launched Pinkgrip MS as part of the popular Pinkgrip range and in response to growing demand for low VOC products. This new highly versatile grab adhesive is formulated using hybrid polymer technology to bring together the application and performance benefits of both the original solvent-based Pinkgrip and solvent-free Pinkgrip SF products. Some of the specialist adhesives such as the chemical anchor, Anchorset Green, have also been reformulated. This styrene-free, low odour solution has been tested to meet LEED 2009 standards to provide the robust, durable performance that the chemical anchoring process demands.
Products which are formulated with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are generally better for the environment, but they can also bring other benefits like being low odour and quicker to dry. This makes low VOC products more pleasant for those working with them and for homeowners too – making them ideal for domestic refurbishments.
All wrapped up
When it comes to packaging, most people’s first thought is about recycling but it’s important to remember that reducing waste doesn’t just happen at the end of a product’s life. The way the packaging is manufactured is another key part of the sustainability of an individual product.
The company is also in the process of introducing new packaging which is manufactured using a minimum content of 30 per cent post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, across its core product range. PCR plastic is the high-density polyethylene plastic commonly found in many consumer goods such as milk, shampoo and water containers, as well as sewer, water and gas pipes. The packaging development process was a lengthy one and the team made sure that it still meets the requirements in terms of its stability, shelf-life, product performance, including application, airtightness and tolerance to pressure.
Because of the nature of building chemical products, it isn’t possible to recycle or reuse this kind of packaging as the appropriate cleaning techniques are not readily available currently and without this it can’t be cleaned to the standard required for onward recycling. But, reducing the amount of virgin plastic that goes into the manufacture of each piece of packaging using a proportion of PCR plastic content instead, is another way we can make a difference. In fact, we have estimated that this will save more than 400 tonnes of virgin plastic used by the company this year alone and this figure will increase as it rolls out the new packaging to more products in the future.
Unearthing embedded carbon
Did you know that the processes involved in manufacturing construction materials can also influence their overall sustainability rating? This is known as ‘embedded carbon’ and takes into account all the energy that goes into the manufacture of a product including its packaging. By making improvements here and making sure factories are running as energy efficiently as possible this has a knock-on effect on a product’s sustainability too.
Recent investment in the manufacturing facility in Leeds has seen the installation of 600 new solar panels on the roof. The panels will generate 180 MWH of power annually and with projected emissions savings of more than 228 g CO2/kWh per year.
It might feel like this is all a drop in the ocean, but research has shown that even small changes will make a difference and choosing a more sustainable product next time you’re stocking up is a great place to start.
To find out more about Sika Everbuild’s extensive range of products visit https://www.everbuild.co.uk/
