9 ways Cubis Systems are committed to supporting the construction of a more sustainable future
Forming part of the wider CRH group, sustainability has become core to what we do and who we are. In recent years, our consideration for the world around us has helped inform our business vision and strategy. We make decisions based on how we can limit our negative impact on the environment, and we provide solutions that enable us to work towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Here are 9 commitments our business has made to help us stay on track to achieve our sustainability goals:
1. We incorporate digitalisation to ensure the most efficient processes
Our digital technical library (BIM) provides an advanced service that enables clients to explore, customise and familiarise themselves with the wide range of products we offer.
The BIM library has been developed to help designers quickly and seamlessly configure products, tailoring them to meet the exact needs of the project.
Greater accuracy at an early design stage means that potential errors or risks can be avoided and the most energy efficient measures can be implemented throughout the project lifecycle; this helps to minimise negative environmental impact and eliminate waste.
2. We adopt modern construction methods to optimise performance
From design through to delivery, we are conscious of how our business activity impacts the environment. We continuously innovate to provide modern solutions that have been expertly engineered with the user in mind. Replacing conventional construction materials like brick and concrete with intelligently designed, lightweight and easy to install products can help optimise project efficiency.
3. We minimise the need for heavy lifting equipment during installation
From lightweight materials to rapid assembly methods, our products are designed to make installation as easy as possible and reduce the need of heavy plant on site. This offers a way to avoid excess carbon emissions and helps to reduce the carbon footprint of your project.
4. We maximise the shipping capacity of our products
With the aim of reducing the number of vehicles we are responsible for putting on the road, our products offer a flat pack option, increasing shipping density but reducing weight and vehicle emissions. Across our sites, we aim for load optimisation to ensure customer deliveries are utilised to their full capacity. A recent study on our product PROtrough concluded that, in comparison to a concrete alternative, PROtrough can offer an 80% reduction in the number of lorries required to transport 10,000 units of cable troughing from manufacturer to site.
5. We limit the use of virgin materials throughout the manufacturing process
We are conscious of the cost involved with producing our products, not only financially but also concerning raw materials and carbon emissions. As well as producing Environmental Product Declarations (EPD’s), we are actively investing in research and collaborative projects that enable us to increase our use of recycled material. Our UK site has achieved up to 100% recycled PP as raw material in its products. In the Republic of Ireland, our site has achieved 80 - 100% recycled HDPE through the investment of on-site material processors. The function of the new machinery is to produce reground HDPE, from waste product, so that it can be reused in the product lifecycle.
6. We produce widely recyclable, or reusable, products
Our goal is to create a closed loop recycling system. We can achieve this by using as much recycled material as possible in our manufacturing process and by ensuring our products are either recyclable or reusable. The polymer materials used at our UK and Republic of Ireland sites are polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). Once retired, these materials are fully recyclable.
We are also a member of Composites UK, actively participating in the Composites UK Sustainability Sub-Group. Our involvement in research projects helps us gain understanding and knowledge on the recycling capabilities of composites. We implement this knowledge into our own processes to help us achieve our green initiatives and so we can help educate others in the future.
7. We aim to optimise product lifecycle
Continuous internal and external tests are undertaken to better understand the performance of our products and how they will fare in the environment they are placed. From Thermal Ageing testing to Fatigue testing, relevant tests are conducted to validate our confidence in the products’ longevity.
8. We strive to eliminate unnecessary waste through innovation
Across the range of products we produce, we are committed to working smarter in order to minimise the waste produced from our operations. We continuously conduct audits, examining our current processes to see where improvements could be made. We also perform regular maintenance checks to ensure our equipment is running efficiently and we are achieving operational excellence.
9. We collaborate to make the greenest choices throughout the supply chain
Working together with our clients, contractors and supply chain, we are committed to leaving a positive legacy. We are always looking for innovative ways to maximise our efficiency; we achieve this by investing in new machinery as well as our people. We provide training and development that encourages our people to be concerned with the world around them. Not only this, but we also collaborate with external organisations to equip future generations, educating them on the importance of sustainable resource management.
These are just 9 areas we are currently focused on that allow us to have a more positive impact on the world around us. As we continue to grow and learn, we are committed to making changes that support a more sustainable future and align us with our group’s vision: To develop sustainable solutions that build, connect and improve our World.