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PPE


For example, a uvex 1 G2 planet with 30 per cent degranulated material 7.2kg (7.17kg)


CO2 saves 1.3kg CO2, the standard model of the uvex 1 G2 with a knitted shaft with 8.5 kg


CO2. Assuming a service life of 12 months, this would be just under one tonne of CO2 per year for 900 employees. That is equivalent to a


journey of 4,900 kilometres with a mid-range petrol engine. To calculate the CO2 footprint of a product,


uvex uses SimaPro software based on the ecoinvent database, which contains life cycle inventory data on energy, materials and transportation etc. “This software examines where the various


components are produced, the production processes, transport routes and methods as well as any disposal processes,” Keller adds. “The result, including any background processes is calculated using the data obtained. There are so many different factors when making a product that we recognise it is a long-term project to have precise figures for every single part of a product, but it provides a highly detailed estimate. And as developments are taking place continuously it is becoming increasingly precise. The process is done according to ISO 14067 and allows us to produce very authentic carbon footprint figures.” The calculations represent an important


step forward, helping buyers to better understand which companies and products are truly sustainable.


“We need to bring transparency into the


whole field of sustainability,” Keller says. “Providing these figures is a huge achievement because it means we can show something tangible rather than just relying on claims. I’m


confident that we’re going to compare the CO2 emissions of products in the future and it’s going to be quite normal, just as we compare the prices of products.”


GrowinG demand for data With sustainability woven into the fabric of the company, uvex is well-placed to assist with the growing interest in calculating carbon emissions – particularly in certain industries such as automotive. Keller says: “The European Green Deal has set


the target that Europe will be the first climate- neutral continent by 2050. This means saving


CO2 for companies will become as natural as saving costs, because CO2 will cost money directly and indirectly through CO2 pricing.” Companies’ carbon footprints include not


only what they themselves emit during the manufacturing process but also anything they source. These are categorised as Scope 3 emissions and the data is something that uvex’s customers are specifically demanding, making the company’s ability to provide carbon footprint data at component and product level a huge selling point. More sustainable requirements are also


appearing on tenders, with businesses such as large construction companies looking for partners that can offer evidence-based initiatives to help them to achieve their sustainable credentials and win business. There is also growing recognition that


partnering with a knowledge provider like uvex can be invaluable in helping to educate and guide customers through the maze of sustainable policies and practices.


LookinG ahead uvex has been blazing a trail for sustainability within the industry for some time. Ultimately, the company wants to help transform our linear economy into a circular one. Keller says: “We’re not just saying, ‘OK, we'll


include recycled content in our products, tech, sustainable product – done.’ It’s about rethinking the whole concept and the way we might approach business models and service models in the future. Circularity means keeping the product or the materials of the product in the loop as long as we can. Beyond that, it means thinking about refurbishing options and biodegradability. Composting, for example, means closing the biological loop.” Creating circular PPE is a bold vision but, for


uvex, it is just one more step along a road the company has been walking down for decades.


uvex www.uvex-safety.co.uk


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