CSR Bradford Insulation & Edmonds

Bradford Insulation Group has been manufacturing energy saving insulation in Australia since 1934. With extensive operations across the Asia Pacific region, Bradford Insulation is a world renowned leader in the insulation industry, with a long involvement in providing energy efficiency solutions.

The generation of energy using fossil fuels has resulted in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), which have been linked to global warming and climate change. Insulation contributes to a more sustainable environment, by reducing energy consumption in buildings and industrial processes.

Bradford supports sustainability in 3 key ways:

1. Improving the living and working environment through greater thermal and acoustic comfort
2. Saving energy and reducing the associated greenhouse gas emissions
3. Reducing waste through environmentally sound manufacturing

Bradford Insulation’s glasswool is manufactured from up to 80% recycled glass, waste flat glass and bottle glass, depending on availability. In addition, the remaining glass is made primarily from sand - an abundant resource.

Bradford’s rockwool process utilises up to 40% recycled scrap rockwool, using innovative briquetting technology developed by Bradford.

Our glasswool and rockwool plants:

• Recycle all water used in the manufacturing process
• Use high efficiency world class process control technology
• Maximise compression packaging to reduce transportation energy use
• Comply with all relevant product and manufacturing standards including ISO9000 and AS/NZ 4859.1

Bradford glasswool and rockwool insulation products last the lifetime of the building and can be fully recycled, if left in their original condition.

Bradford glasswool and rockwool insulation uses no ozone depleting products (ODP) in manufacture, have low volatile organic compounds (VOC) and low allergen, and have low embodied energy.

Bradford glasswool and rockwool are amongst the world's most sustainable building products.

Kingspan Insulation Commitment

Kingspan Insulation's 2009 Sustainability and Responsibility report reaches new levels as an exemplar of good practice. Kingspan Insulation has been breaking new ground in this area for a number of years, often leading the way for other construction product manufacturers. This latest report conforms to the rigorous requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Framework Level B.

Whilst most companies today are addressing their environmental impact, far fewer have looked at how to balance that with their impact on people and their economic performance, and yet these are absolutely fundamental to sustainability. Kingspan Insulation has been using Arup’s SPeAR sustainability assessment tool regularly since 2004 to assess, monitor and report on progress in all areas of sustainable development. Much of the material in the 2009 report is based on the latest SPeAR assessment, but the introduction of the GRI indicators brings even greater transparency to the process and significantly raises the bar.

The GRI Framework is a universally recognised benchmark for sustainability reporting, and was developed using a wide range of stakeholder groups to make sure that it was relevant, comprehensive and credible. Reporting at level B is a clear indication of the level of commitment Kingspan has shown and the progress made.

However, the simple reporting of achievements is not an end in itself; this Sustainability and Responsibility Report is not a static tool but supports Kingspan’s aim to set new targets and continuously improve, challenging other construction product manufacturers to follow suit and make meaningful and measurable progress.

The report covers the UK business of Kingspan Insulation Ltd., which includes its headquarters and manufacturing facility at Pembridge, Herefordshire, and its manufacturing site at Selby, North Yorkshire. This report was published in October 2009 to present an holistic picture of Kingspan Insulation Ltd.’s long-term commitment to sustainability and responsibility in all of the company’s guises: as a manufacturer of insulation products; as an employer; as a substantial landholder; and as a key member of its neighbouring communities.

The data and commentary in this report summarise Kingspan Insulation’s journey from 2004-2008, and highlights key achievements from the calendar year 2008. Where significant material events have occurred in the early part of 2009, these are also commented upon.

Velux Commitment

High standards
Throughout the years, VELUX has been highly committed to reducing the environmental impact of the manufacture, use and disposal of their products, and to maintaining high standards of health and safety for their employees.

Environmental policy
VELUX develops manufactures and markets products that provide and control daylight and fresh air in buildings.

Their activities involve the procurement and processing of natural resources. This places upon them a direct obligation towards the environment.

Whilst upholding their tradition of quality and craftsmanship, built over more than sixty years, and conducting their business in a profitable manner, they will continually assess and develop their environmental efforts.

Velux will:

• Design their products so that their environmental impact during manufacture, use and disposal is diminished.
• Use raw materials, water and energy efficiently in order to diminish their effect on the environment.
• Reduce emissions, waste and discharges from their activities.
• Maintain high standards of safety at work for their employees and encourage sound attitudes toward the environment in their field of activities.
• Cooperate with their suppliers, customers and other business partners to achieve higher environmental standards.
• Remain alert to new opportunities enhancing the environmental soundness of their products and manufacturing methods beyond what is generally expected