Three more companies – Ibstock, Peak and Wavin have joined the four existing Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) Business Champions by committing to share evidence of their net zero carbon programmes and to contribute to the CO2nstruct Zero reporting process.
Ibstock
As part of Ibstock’s aim for 15% reduction in CO2 per tonne of production by 2025, major investment at one of its factories will reduce process carbon emissions by circa 50%, with the remainder offset to make what Ibstock believes will be the world’s first net zero brick factory for scope 1 and 2 emissions.
New and sustainable products have already been introduced, with others in development. By 2025, these should account for 20% of sales turnover. Further targets within the 2025 roadmap include zero waste to landfill, 40% reduction in preventable plastic packaging, 5% reduction in mains water usage per tonne of production and 100% of suppliers meeting their Supplier Sustainability Code of Business Conduct.
Peak
Meanwhile, Peak’s Decision Intelligence software embeds artificial intelligence (AI) in routing technology, ensuring that delivery vehicles are more productive and travel fewer miles. Customers have seen transformational efficiency gains at speed and scale, including an 8% reduction on miles travelled per job and an increase of 23% capacity, in just three months.
AI-driven demand forecasting informs both production scheduling and sourcing optimisation to reduce waste. Over a year, another company making aluminium products reduced transportation costs by 8% and eliminated 400 metric tonnes of waste. As BMF Business Champions, Peak will engage customers on the sustainable and long-term benefits that Decision Intelligence can deliver.
Wavin
Wavin has an ambition to lead the industry in sustainability by 2025, by which time it will have a fully electric car fleet. Its four manufacturing sites already run on 100% renewable energy, with 40% of its forklift fleet using Bio LPG, and transporting products in the most sustainable way.
What’s more, around 30% of the company’s products are currently manufactured from recycled material, with a target of 60-70%.
John Newcomb, chief executive officer of the BMF, said: “I’m delighted to see the initiatives that Ibstock, Peak and Wavin have introduced in their drive to net zero gaining recognition in this way. I think it is important that the building materials industry shares best practice, so we can move forward together.
“Clearly, there is a lot still to do, but with seven BMF Business Champions now in place, with ACO Technologies, APP Wholesale, Bradfords Building Supplies and Travis Perkins Plc gaining Champion status last month, we are helping to build a bigger cross-industry movement that will help everyone gain knowledge and learn from their peers.”
