Knauf UK & Ireland is committed to a high standard of sustainability and has intensified its efforts over recent months with the appointment of a new Sustainability Leader and the implementation of several initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of its products.
Knauf welcomed Lucy Hall as Sustainability Leader in September. Lucy will partner with all areas of the business from manufacturing to specification and sales to develop a robust sustainability strategy.
Lucy has a wealth of experience and awards in the areas of sustainability and innovation. Her expertise will help Knauf to advance its sustainability agenda at a time when product manufacturers are shouldering increasing environmental responsibility.
As part of these ongoing sustainability endeavours, Knauf is making the move to recycled plastic packaging. The Company’s new packaging will contain at least 30% recycled plastics and is often also recyclable at the end of its life so the circle can be continued.
The Company has added easy to recognise logos to the packaging to identify when it has been made from recycled plastic, and if it is recyclable. Knauf will start by changing the packaging of key products within its portfolio and continue the move for other products over the coming months.
The Company is using Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics – materials which have been used by consumers, recycled and given a new life.
Lucy gives an insight into the importance of the new packaging: “Our Product Manager, Becky Newell, has worked collaboratively and consistently to achieve Knauf’s goal of improving the recycled content of our packaging. Realising her goal to make a difference on a bigger scale, the recycled content of plastic packaging will now also be high on the agenda of new product development. This is a fantastic achievement in Knauf’s drive to fulfil its sustainability goals.”
Greenhouse gas emissions are associated with single-use plastics, and the National Geography Society estimates that more than 40% of plastic is used just once and that there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. This is a significant reason for Knauf adopting PCR plastics and a recognition of the Company’s commitment to Build for the World We Live In.
This switch will see some small changes to the appearance of product packaging, such as a grey rim and base. This is simply due to a number of different coloured plastics being recycled to make a new product, and not adding in unnecessary dyes.
It is important to note that it is just the packaging that is changing, not the product, so customers can rest assured knowing they’re still getting the same, trusted Knauf product.
Another change being made to the Knauf portfolio to lessen its environmental impact is on the GIFAbond flooring adhesives range. These products are used when installing Knauf GIFA FHB and Hugo floorboards. From January 2022 the product range will be EC1 Plus Emicode certified.
The Emicode certification rates flooring adhesives and installation products into three categories. Knauf has achieved the highest possible rating of EC1 Plus, very low emission, defined as ‘the limit of what is technically feasible today’.
To achieve this rating, the products must undergo rigorous testing with limits on VOCs, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other hazardous substances which can affect indoor air quality and health.
The Knauf EC1 Plus Emicode certified products will be GIFAbond Uno, a joint adhesive foil which is used with an application gun to the tongue and groove edge; GIFAbond Blue, a single layer joint adhesive in an easy to use bottle for hand application, and GIFAbond Duo, a surface adhesive used on two-layer systems.
It is not just its product range that Knauf is reviewing. The Company has recently rolled out fourteen new forklift trucks at its Sittingbourne plant bringing improved safety, greater management control and cleaner operation.
In addition to having the latest safety features the new trucks are powered by Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). This means they are much cleaner, producing far less particulate pollution than diesel and emitting much lower levels of CO2.
Knauf is also working with its distribution partners to provide customers with a more environmentally friendly delivery option. One of its key distributors, Nicholls Transport, Winner of the Greenfleet Fleet of the Year award 2020, was among the first operators in the UK to use LNG trucks and has recently been recognised as an IVECO Ambassador for its Green Logistics Operation.
These initiatives are part of Knauf’s ongoing sustainability programme and tie in with its ‘people, planet, prosperity’ ethos. Sustainability considerations are becoming more prevalent across the construction industry and Knauf is keen to lead the way in meeting customers’ expectations for environmentally friendly products.
For further information visit www.knauf.co.uk