SUSTAINABILITY
BRETT MARTIN TAKES
SUSTAINABLE LEAD
Brett Martin, has further committed to its sustainability G
programme with the procurement of a solar farm that is Ibstoc ‘hard wired’ directly into its main production plant.
lobal suppliers of specialist plastic products for the construction,
fabrication, print and display sectors; Brett Martin boasts a wide ranging
portfolio including factory-engineered rooflight systems, plumbing and drainage solutions and plastic sheeting. The company’s procurement of a solar installation plant to power its manufacturing HQ in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland means an incredible 25% of the site’s energy use is now provided by renewable sources. It follows the installation of a wind turbine at the site in 2011.
Geoff Stewart, Brett Martin financial director, said: “We are delighted with our latest renewable energy provision. It’s proof of our determination to ensure our production processes are as sustainable as possible. We have the highest regard for the quality of our environment; it’s very much part of our working culture.””
The solar installation, built on local farmland, is funded and developed by Lightsource BP, a global leader in the solar sector. The company has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Brett Martin in relation to the site, which has an output power capacity of 6.42MWp (Megawatts-peak) – enough clean energy to power the equivalent of more than 1,600 homes. Built on more than 35 acres of locally- owned farmland, the installation saves an estimated 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, equal to taking nearly 1,000 cars off the road.
Above: Nick Boyle CEO Lightsource BP, Laurence Martin MD Brett Martin Ltd, Geoff Stewart Financial Director Brett Martin Ltd
Stewart added: “Sustainable initiatives such as this are critical to help us maintain our competitive edge in a global marketplace where over 50% of our sales are exported. We were one of the first local manufacturers to install a wind turbine in 2011, delivering 11% of our energy costs. The partnership with Lightsource more than doubles our renewable footprint and also highlights our commitment to environmentally-sensitive manufacturing practice. We are very grateful to the many local interest groups, statutory bodies and government agencies which provided help and assistance to Lightsource and ourselves as we progressed the project to completion.” Planning permission for the solar farm was secured in 2016. It was developed and constructed alongside an in-depth biodiversity management plan, detailing planting measures designed to support local wildlife. It included seeding choices specifically designed to foster new insect and bird species, strengthening the biodiversity of the local area and providing significant environmental benefits to the surrounding farmland. The installation was successfully connected in March 2018.
September 2018
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
sus tainability c ourse
ck on
Brick manufacturer Ibstock plc is on course to achieve significant sustainability improvements in the next two years, according t its own 2017 Sustainability Report.
Ibstock’ s sustainability policy encompasses four pillars of development; economic, social, natural resources and environmental aspects. Key findings from the r eport include: • Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions of 0.18 tonnes of CO2 e/tonnes production
• Over 50% water r equir ements now come fr om non-mains water supply
• 0.002 tonnes of waste to landfill (per tonne of production). The Group has an aspira- tional target for Waste Management to work towards achieving the Carbon Trust certificate for Zero Waste to Landfill in the UK. • 35 appr entices - with mor e than 9,000 training days given to employees to deliver a comprehensive development programme. • 10% fall in Lost Time Accidents (LTA
LT TAs).
The company has also planted over 15,000 tr ees at its Leicestershire site; and commits to maintenance and care of 43 miles of hedge- r ows and 580 acr es of woodland.
Joe Hudson, Chief Executive, said: “At the heart of our sustainability strategy is a people- focused approach, which sits alongside our investment in more resour ce-ef ficient methods of manufacture - which of course has been embodied by our new , flagship brick factory. As the world seeks new solutions to today’s social and environmental challenges, we find ourselves working towards a pr omising future. For us, this is a futur e where our own impact on the world is not only minimised, it is posi- tive.”
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