How small manufacturing changes can transform your environmental impact

Russell Ager, MD of leading steel window and door manufacturer Crittall Windows, explores the role building material manufacturers can play on the UK’s journey to net zero.

Statistically, the built environment currently accounts for 25% of the UK’s greenhouse emissions and so moves to reduce this output should be welcomed with open arms by players in the industry. That said, new regulations must be technically realistic, commercially viable and should also consider exceptional circumstances to not only guarantee everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet but to also make it much simpler for organisations to adopt.

In the lead up to the launch of the 2025 Future Homes Standard, various Approved Documents were released to provide guidance for manufacturers so they could adjust their product offering accordingly to ensure they remained compliant.

Approved Document Part L focuses on conservation of fuel and powers and was specifically introduced to make buildings more sustainable and cost effective to heat. This guidance, along with Approved Document Part F, was the most relevant to those operating in the window and door industry as it reduced both the notional target and limiting standard of double-glazed units.

While evidence suggested that the U-values for new properties would eventually decrease below the 1.2 U-value introduced by Part L in June 2022, no reference to lowering U-values was included in the consultation document released at the end of 2023.

Although this was somewhat disappointing to see, I believe that in terms of window and door manufacturing, a product’s efficiency is just one part of the puzzle. In fact, to have an even bigger impact, those responsible for manufacturing building materials for new build properties should also turn their attention to reducing their operational carbon footprint.

This is a big priority for us at Crittall Windows, which is why we’ve recently invested in a range of green technology solutions like solar panels and LED lighting for our main manufacturing facilities, as well as upgrading our fleet to a range of battery electric and hybrid vehicles.

Assessing carbon footprints

For companies with a real interest in the impact their business has on the environment, we’d also recommend taking a closer look at their carbon footprint. In doing so, manufacturers will better understand the environmental impact of their operations and will subsequently identify areas of improvement within their facilities.

At Crittall Windows, we have commissioned an organisation called Carbon Footprint Ltd. The team of environmental consultants have been working closely with us to set targets that will enable us to reduce both our carbon and energy output as a UK manufacturer.

With help from experts at Carbon Footprint Ltd, companies will be given a benchmark so they can effortlessly track their progress and measure the impact of the total energy reduction and decarbonisation initiatives introduced. It’s a fantastic initiative that is well worth the investment.

Adapt and evolve to survive and thrive

However small the changes manufacturers make to their operations may seem, over time we’re sure to see incredible reductions in the industry’s energy consumption that will have a positive impact on the UK’s carbon emissions.

Crittall Windows has been around for almost 200 years, and I believe one of the reasons we’re still going strong two centuries later is because we always aim to embrace any changes that are introduced within the industry.

While we appreciate change isn’t easy, in today’s world the ability to adapt and evolve is crucial for any manufacturing business to thrive. Ultimately, change in manufacturing isn’t just about keeping up with trends, it means being innovative to improve efficiency, sustainability and product quality.

Where possible, we try to reframe our thinking so we can enjoy the challenges that minimising our impact on the environment brings. Plus, we look forward to seeing how the industry will continue to evolve in the years ahead and as we step even closer to the 2025 Future Homes Standard.

For more information visit: www.crittall-windows.co.uk