How Performance Panels achieve carbon neutrality cradle-to-gate with Pura® NFC
In a time when our conscience is becoming more environmentally focussed and we are aware of the impact that our choices can have on the planet, we’re proud to supply UK homeowners and housebuilders with a cladding solution that can make a difference.
Continue to read our blog to learn more about our environmental initiatives as a UK Premium Partner of Pura® NFC by Trespa and how Performance Panels achieve carbon neutrality of this premium façade solution cradle-to-gate.
The material
As a leading innovator in the field of architectural materials, recognised internationally as a premier developer of high quality panels, it’s understandable that Trespa has been working on the topic of sustainability for over 10 years, with a realistic vision, hands on approach and driven by data.
It all starts with the material itself. The NFC in Pura® NFC stands for natural fibre core.
Bio-based, renewable raw materials have a lower environmental impact than traditional petroleum-based inputs. They, in fact, help to save fossil resources and can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Pura® NFC is made of up of a combination of biobased, renewable materials (wood fibre) and resin, with the bio-based share exceeding the fossil-based, and in the case of this product, 70% of its content is bio-based (natural fibres).
A complete Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) on the product has been conducted to measure the environmental impacts of the material so that the data can be used to make improvements to reduce emission generating activity forming the recognised public facing document, an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
Sustainability is an important part of our ethos
As an operating business of See Limited, who are a holding company for a trio of businesses within the built environment industry, sustainability is a part of our daily conversation as we work together to achieve our target of becoming Net Zero by 2030.
To demonstrate our commitment of making a difference to the environment, See Limited works closely with environmental consultants, EcoAct, to help evaluate carbon emitting activities across the group of businesses through the production of an Annual Carbon Footprint Report. This then provides a framework to help us implement initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint, from solar panel investments to an electric company vehicle policy.
Performance Panels, a UK Distributor driven by sustainability
As we form the distribution arm of one of See Limited’s businesses, we measure the distance travelled for all of our deliveries on a product level, by doing this we calculate the amount of emissions generated for each order of Pura® NFC (identified as the ‘Construction Process’ within an LCA).
With access to Trespa’s EPD for Pura® NFC, we are also able to identify the amount of carbon generated during the ‘Product Stage’ of the LCA including raw material supply, transport and manufacturing whilst the material is in Trespa’s care.
By combining the data from Trespa and our own distribution calculations, we can identify the total amount of carbon generated for Pura® NFC when it reaches the end customer (cradle-to-gate).
How Performance Panels achieve carbon neutrality
Through our carbon management programme, we take responsibility of the amount of carbon generated for each Pura® NFC order cradle-to-gate. This includes the emissions generated by Trespa during the product stage, identified in the product EPD, and the emissions generated when Performance Panels handle the material, through to the delivery of the customer. Performance Panels offset the carbon emissions produced by investing in Gold Standard carbon credits equating to the emissions made so that the customer receives their order fully carbon neutral.
Our Gold Standard carbon credit investment is an internationally recognised way to account for our carbon emissions whilst supporting activities benefiting communities and the planet.
An example of one of the global projects that we support through this investment includes the Kumasi Stoves project in Ghana, which replaces open fireplaces with improved cookstoves, reducing the rate of deforestation, improving health as well as providing local employment opportunities.
Whilst offsetting is a current process that we have in place to compensate our remaining emissions, we are continuously looking for alternative methods including carbon sequestration projects. Carbon sequestration is the capturing, removal and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the earth’s atmosphere.
Tree planting initiative
Sometimes it's the little things that count. Tree planting is a great way to help sequester carbon dioxide in the future.
We have partnered with more:trees, working closely with tree planting companies across the world supporting projects including Madagascar, Kenya and Haiti.
By planting trees, we can help sequester carbon dioxide in the future whilst providing co-benefits such as water filtration, shelter, food sources, poverty alleviation and biodiversity in developing countries where tree felling is an issue.
For every Pura® NFC order* placed with Performance Panels we will plant 20 trees on your behalf through more:trees.
You can learn more about this initiative by clicking here to read our blog: ‘Our Tree Planting Commitment’.
Through our investment in carbon credits and our tree planting initiative we are supporting global projects not only benefiting the environment but also making improvements to benefit human life. From the creation of job opportunities to improving health, our actions align to a number of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) providing a clear pathway to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
A complete cladding solution with an environmental conscience
Through our environmental initiatives Performance Panels are proud to offer Pura® NFC, a complete cladding solution that is carbon neutral cradle-to-gate.
*Each project is recognised as one order. Any separate purchases made for the same project after the main order is placed will not be identified as a new order and as a result will not qualify more trees to be planted.