The Australian construction industry is under pressure to increase its sustainability efforts. The Green Building Council of Australia has warned that in 2019, 16 percent of Australia's carbon emissions came from the built environment and by 2050, this figure is estimated to rise to 85 percent of Australia's total carbon emissions.

Sustainability is increasingly being driven by architects and designers in response to this call to action, and they are constantly seeking new ways to enhance environmental efficiency through their design and choice of materials.

Taking a serious approach to sustainability is not new for Siniat, but in more recent times the company’s efforts in this space have been boosted with several worthwhile initiatives being introduced.

One of these is Siniat’s sponsorship of Architecture & Design magazine’s ‘Sustainability Awards’, in particular, the ‘Women in Sustainability category’. This category was selected because Siniat believes in investing in people, and recognising the hard work of professionals who are actively leading the way towards a more sustainable future.

Aside from its involvement in the Awards, Siniat is focused on making a difference across its own business.

Siniat offers a carbon neutral opt-in program on a wide range of locally made plasterboard and metal products, certified under the Australian Government’s Climate Active program.

“We encourage customers who wish to include carbon neutral products in their projects to come and talk to us,” said Siniat Australia Managing Director, Gavin Burton.

Siniat’s locally made plasterboard products are GreenTag GreenRate certified and the company’s manufacturing facilities in Altona, Matraville, Beenleigh and Bundaberg operate under the most current versions of the ISO management system standards for Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental Management.

On the global front, Siniat Australia’s parent company, Etex Group, unveiled its first ever Sustainability report in October. It’s a strong sustainability commitment from the business, and formalises the group’s sustainability ambitions, initiatives and processes. As a company whose business depends on the use of raw materials, energy, water and other resources, Etex is extremely conscious of its responsibility across four main areas for sustainability: carbon neutrality; health, safety and wellbeing; waste management and circularity; and diversity and inclusion.

Siniat Australia WHS and Sustainability Manager, Kathryn Walker, says the company has taken several significant steps in recent years to improve its sustainability offering.

“We were the first plasterboard manufacturer in Australia to offer carbon neutral certified board to the market. We have also taken the necessary steps to improve energy efficiency and will continue to do so by significant upgrades to plant and equipment, consideration of alternative energy sources as well as by changing work practices and the education of employees,” Ms. Walker said.

“Complying with the latest ISO management systems standards and providing GreenTag GreenRate Certified products have further enabled us to meet our sustainability goals both now and into the future.”

A key focus for Siniat Australia is to further grow its standing as a company to partner with – whether a trade, engineering or design professional, Siniat aims to add value in what it can offer customers.

Mr. Burton said that sustainability remains a key area of growth for the business and that they are committed to working together with customers to help them reach their sustainability goals.

“While developing high quality products will always remain important, it’s becoming more difficult to differentiate based on product alone, so Siniat is investing heavily in adding value through our broader service offerings to the industry,” Mr. Burton said.

“We take a partnership approach and work together with customers to more closely match what they expect from their construction systems provider. With the backing of the Etex Group, we are committed to increasing our sustainability offering. As always, we strive to be our customer’s best supplier.”

To learn more about Siniat’s involvement in Architecture & Design magazine’s Sustainability Awards and the shortlisted finalists, please visit: siniat.com.au/sustainability-awards-finalists-announced-2/

Architecture & Design Team

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