Sustainability is one of the four strategic pillars of the Belgium-based Etex Group – a global industrial group and major supplier of lightweight construction solutions. The Sustainability Roadmap 2030 was announced in 2021, and outlines a clear strategy for the business to achieve firm targets over the coming years.

Within the Roadmap, decarbonisation is one of the five listed priority areas. The 2030 ambition is to reduce emissions intensity in the Group by 35% from a 2018 baseline. The Group is committed to reaching net zero carbon impacts by 2050 at the latest through a reduction of energy consumption and a shift in energy sources and technologies on a global scale.

The other priority areas are circularity; customer engagement; diversity, equity and inclusion, and health, safety and wellbeing.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, Etex also has a program for transitioning to renewable electricity for operations, and the percentage of its worldwide purchased electricity from renewable sources is 74% (as of the 2022 Annual Report).

Etex Australia, the manufacturer of Siniat plasterboard and metal products, has been working on a decarbonisation plan of action for well over a decade, and is continuing to invest in new strategies. Focus areas include the reduction of energy consumption, recycling, optimising equipment and packaging reduction.

In terms of the manufacture of Siniat Australia’s plasterboard products, there are two major emissions sources in the gate-to-gate production: natural gas (Scope 1) and electricity (Scope 2).

“These two sources cover over 98% of production gate-to-gate emissions generated in the manufacturing process of plasterboard,” explained Regional EHS & Sustainability Manager Kathryn Walker.

Siniat Australia is planning to transition to 100% renewable electricity sourcing for manufacturing and distribution sites by 2030, which includes the installation of an on-site solar plant completed this year in their Altona Plant. The installation of a similar solar array at the Matraville site is currently being investigated.

“Waterconsumption is another key driver of emissions. The consumption of water is inherent to the production of plasterboard and reducing water consumption is directly related to a reduction in energy consumption,” Kathryn said.

“Waste generation is also addressed in the decarbonisation process. Our target is zero waste to landfill. In the 2021-22 reporting period landfill waste accounted for less than 7% of wastes on site. All plasterboard production waste is recycled.

“We also regularly conduct inspections of our equipment and optimise machinery by identifying any air leakages and improving energy efficiency,” Kathryn said.

Siniat Australia has been working to map and understand their Scope 3 or upstream and downstream emissions for their products and include this as part of their cradle-to-grave approach to their Climate Active reporting.

“Decarbonisation is not only about the big strategies; it’s a concept that should be understood and embraced by every teammate in the company. Sometimes teammates who are not working in the sustainability team can come up with great ideas,” Kathryn said.

“Every bit counts and through training and ongoing awareness campaigns we strive to encourage behavioural change so that decarbonisation is something that every teammate takes to heart and actively participates in.”

This article is brought to you in association with SINIAT Proud Partners of the 2023 Sustainability Awards For more information about SINIAT please go to: https://www.siniat.com/en/

Architecture & Design Team

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