Assessing the sustainability of building products, or indeed products of any type, is not a simple task. It involves consideration of all lifecycle stages, from raw material extraction and transportation of those materials to the manufacturing process, product use, and the end-of-life considerations.

It involves not just assessment of (embodied and operational) carbon, but also of other pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). And it involves consideration of social factors, the labour practices of all parties involved in bringing the product to market, and more.

A complex process, this type of lifecycle assessment is beyond the expertise of most specifiers. The surest way to identify sustainable products is by reference to certification. Architects and designers should seek out building materials that carry relevant environmental certifications or Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

Balancing sustainability with other considerations

That said, once they have identified such products, they are able to decide whether they are suitable for the project in question. To do so, they need to balance the product’s sustainability with other considerations, including cost, aesthetic suitability, and so on.

To take floor covering manufacturer GH Commercial as example, given that its products are used in busy commercial projects, environmentally friendliness is not enough. They also need to be durable and visually appearing.

In terms of soft flooring, GH Commercial’s products are rated Heavy or Extra Heavy Duty by the Australian Carpet Institute of Australia, which means they are fit for heavy foot traffic requirements.

The company’s in-house design team works to ensure all products are design-led and fit for purpose. Design, colour and pattern can play a significant role in the performance of a carpet, for example pattern is important in high-traffic zones where spills and wear can occur.

At the same time, to prioritise sustainability, the company endeavours to reduce waste and raw material consumption, while increasing product performance and value.

The first Australian carpet manufacturer to meet the Climate Active Carbon Neutral standard, it achieves these goals through waste diversion projects such as waste yarn recycling, pallet reuse programs, and a major focus on electrification and solar energy.

In terms of certification, 248 of GH Commercial’s soft flooring covering products carry Environmental Certification Scheme for Carpets (ECS) Level 4+; while select products from its SDN carpet tile range carry EPDs and Declare Red List Free certifications.

Then, on the hard flooring side, several of the company’s products are Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified, Best Environmental Practice PVC certified and ECS Level 2+.

Quality engineering

Stormtech, a manufacturer of architectural grates and drains for a range of internal and external applications, is in a similar position. It needs to balance its environmental ambitions with functionality and durability.

For this reason, not only does the company manufacture its products with 316 stainless steels, a material that is far more durable than many other metals, but it sources this material from the lowest carbon mills in the world.

Similarly, Stormtech products feature Best Environmental Practice (BEP) PVC instead of polypropylene (PP) because, although PP is typically more sustainable than PVC, it does not have the engineering qualities of PVC and is therefore less durable.

In addition Capral's LocAl Super Green, the aluminium used in Stormtech products, features the lowest levels of embodied carbon for products of this type available in Australia; and the company’s anodising is sourced from a best environmental practice suppliers that employs in-house developed technology to ensure durable and sustainable coatings.

Above: Stormtech products feature Best Environmental Practice (BEP) PVC instead of polypropylene. Supplied by Stormtech.

Stormtech’s manufacturing facility, at Nowra on the NSW South Coast, is powered by a state-of-the-art solar system, which can operate independently of the national grid. In terms of its own fabrication and welding processes, the company uses only chemicals that are suitable for domestic use. By focussing on quality engineering and automating many waste producing processes, it has been able to minimise waste.

Recycled materials

For its part, façade and ceiling provider Network Architectural sees sustainability and performance as “inseparable”.

For example, the company’s durlum metal ceilings, which are manufactured from recyclable aluminium, deliver acoustic comfort, design flexibility and a long service life, outperforming many conventional ceiling materials by reducing replacement cycles and waste.

Meanwhile, its ALPOLIC NC facade panels offer a proven lifespan of more than 50 years with minimal maintenance, ensuring long-term sustainability while allowing architects the freedom to create visually striking, low-maintenance facades.

And finally, its OWA mineral fibre ceilings also play a key role, combining cost efficiency and acoustic performance with GREENGUARD Gold and Red List Free certifications that support healthier indoor environments.

As the company notes, its suppliers are at the forefront of low-impact manufacturing. ALPOLIC NC is produced in Japan using an advanced continuous-coating process that reduces emissions and ensures consistent quality with less waste.

As a company, durlum integrates closed-loop recycling in its production facilities, repurposing aluminium offcuts, and combines this with long-life design strategies that extend the product’s material lifespan well beyond conventional ceilings. These innovations reduce environmental footprint while maintaining performance excellence.

The durlum GreenTag certification and EPDs provide clear disclosure of environmental performance. Together, these certifications give architects and developers the confidence that the products they specify have been independently verified at every stage of the supply chain.

The role of innovation

For manufacturers like James Hardie, a well-established producer of wall and ceiling products, innovation is an important part of environmental strategy.

The company has implemented technology at its Rosehill facility in New South Wales to recycle dust from the low-density additive process back into fibre cement production, and in so doing, to eliminate the equivalent of 200 metric tonnes of dust per year from landfill.

Similarly, in line with its global goal of recycling 566,336 kilolitres of water annually by 2030, the company has invested in advanced water treatment systems at its facility in Carole Park, Queensland. Making it possible for wastewater to be treated and reused multiple times, this significantly reduces freshwater consumption.

The company says that, in Australia, it is developing low carbon cement technology aimed at reducing the carbon dioxide impact of its fibre cement products by at least 50%; investing in closed-loop water systems; and expanding its use of recycled inputs.

These initiatives position it to meet evolving sustainability standards and deliver high-performance materials that support resilient communities.

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Above: High-performance oblique cladding. Supplied by James Hardie.

A wide range of Hardie products in Australia have achieved Global GreenTag GreenRate Level A and James Hardie also has a continued history of EPDs in Australia, with the first published in 2017.

Its current EPD, which includes 97% of its product volume, also covers the full product lifecycle from cradle to grave. According to the company, recarbonation, the natural process in cement-based products where cement reacts with the air and reabsorbs carbon dioxide during the use phase of the product, is now included.

Traceability and transparency

For SUPAWOOD, a supplier of architectural lining solutions, innovation involves things like solar-powered manufacturing, resource-efficient Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) production, and off-site prefabrication (which is carried out to minimise site emissions).

The company’s focus on ingredient-level transparency (Declare labels), low-VOC finishes and certified timber sourcing also sets it apart from conventional linings, providing verified data to support specifiers in sustainable decision-making.

Certified according to the requirements of Forest Stewardship (FSC) and PEFC Chain of Custody, SUPAWOOD timber materials are legally and ethically sourced. Its panels meet E0 formaldehyde emission ratings for indoor air quality and are compatible with Green Star, WELL, and LEED frameworks.

In addition, beyond these benchmarks, the company emphasises Declare labels, VOC-free finishes and Red List Free materials, providing a higher level of material transparency and compliance than basic certifications.

Supawood panels are designed to be durable, high-performance and cost-effective, while also supporting sustainability. Using MDF made from sawmill byproducts reduces raw forest demand, while prefinished, VOC-free panels lower installation costs and improve site safety.

According to the company, this means its clients benefit from products that don’t compromise on aesthetic appeal, acoustic performance, or fire compliance; products that ensure both project design goals and environmental targets are met.

Durability in harsh environments

Timber cladding manufacturer Weathertex is another company that sees innovation as an important step to sustainability.

Unlike traditional options that rely on synthetic resins, glues, or harmful chemicals, Weathertex products are made from 97% PEFC certified Australian hardwood and 3% natural wax.

Using a unique steam-heated compression method, the timber’s own natural lignin is activated to bind the fibres, eliminating the need for external adhesives. This not only reduces environmental impact but results in a product that is inherently termite-resistant, water-repellent, and durable, without any added chemicals.

In addition, the company’s zero-waste philosophy sees all manufacturing offcuts reused as fuel, compost, or packaging, while an on-site water recycling system and energy-efficient SCADA technology help drive sustainability further.

In terms of traceability and transparency, Weathertex describes itself as an “open book”. All its timber comes from a PEFC-certified forest in NSW, and the company maintains a full chain of custody certification, which means it can trace every log back to its specific source.

With no added silica, glues, resins, or formaldehyde), Weathertex products are sourced from certified plantation and regrowth forests.

At the same time, according to the company, they are built to last. With a high-density profile (1000kg/m³) and a 32 MPa rating, this cladding is designed to withstand harsh environments. It is termite-resistant and backed by up to a 25-year warranty against rotting and cracking under normal conditions.

Water filtration solutions

Billi, a supplier of high-performance water filtration solutions for residential and commercial applications, has achieved Australia’s lowest carbon footprint for products of this type with its Eco, Quadra and Quadra Plus instant boiling and chilled filtered water systems.

According to the company, these units include a range of features, including heat exchange technology that recovers the waste heat energy produced in the chilling process to preheat the boiling water; high performance insulation that retains water temperature; and the inclusion of “Standby modes” that power down after two hours of non-use, and therefore conserve energy.

Each of these units help meet Green Building Design objectives and are Global GreenTag certified, achieving an impressive LCARate GOLD certification. In addition, according to the company, it is the only manufacturer in its category to achieve GreenTag certification.

On top of this, Billi is a cornerstone member of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), an organisation which nurtures collaboration with organisations who are leading the global movement to advance human health in buildings and communities.

As such, Billi can tap into IWBI’s expansive resources and work alongside other WELL-focused organisations that are similarly committed to transforming the built environment and enhancing health and wellness.

Main image: Billi has achieved Australia’s lowest carbon footprint with its Eco, Quadra and Quadra Plus instant boiling and chilled filtered water systems. Source: Billi.

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Network Architectural

Mathew MacDonald

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