Building on our pledge to protect what matters

Paul Owen, Commercial Director – Distribution Division, IKO PLC

New opportunities for innovation and improvement continue to open up across the construction supply chain as the industry looks to reduce its environmental impact. This is further influenced by the evolving legislative landscape and rising demand for more sustainable property and housing. But as stakeholders – from contractors and builders’ merchants to tradespeople and homeowners – look to do more with less, what are the practical ways to deliver sustainability without compromise? As a responsible UK manufacturer of roofing, waterproofing and insulation products and champion of meaningful change, IKO is committed to having a positive impact on people and planet and reducing our and our customers’ carbon footprint.

From our products and processes to packaging and people, we are on a continuous journey to protect what matters most to builders’ merchants and specialist distributors and help them exceed end user expectations. Here, we look at the value of full supply chain visibility when it comes to sustainable construction and how – by drawing on more than a century’s expertise serving the trade and building contractors’ community – IKO can fill the gap for a smart, responsible and transparent supplier.

Taking sustainability to new heights

Stocking construction products that help to boost a property’s eco credentials – for instance, by improving its energy efficiency or reducing energy requirements during construction – offers significant cost, carbon and reputational benefits to builders’ merchants, their customers and consumers. But it’s important to remember that building sustainably starts at manufacturing. That’s why, at IKO, we prioritise supply chain traceability.

As a UK-based manufacturer – supported by an extensive, national network of distributors and stockists – IKO’s CO2 emissions from transportation and distribution are markedly lower than our European counterparts. We’re also proud to have achieved ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems and BES 6001 Standard for all IKO sites. This demonstrates that our products have been manufactured using responsibly and, where possible, locally sourced materials and reassures stockists, tradespeople and those undertaking DIY projects of the social and environmental performance of their chosen products.

We are also making significant strides towards more sustainable practices across our UK manufacturing sites at Appley Bridge, Clay Cross and Grangemill, committing to a programme of improvements to ways of working, manufacturing technologies and initiatives to reduce, reuse and recycle materials.

For example, all IKO sites now run on renewable energy, and our waste policy means almost all of our waste is now diverted from landfill. Our R&D and product development teams also continue to expand our innovation pipeline of environmentally friendly, sustainably sourced products. For example, we use recycled content across several products, including IKO Hyload Original DPC – a damp proof course system which has gained a solid reputation for reliability, durability and integrity since its launch and became the first product to achieve certification from the British Board of Agrément (BBA) in 1967. IKO Hyload Original DPC is made up of a minimum of 75% recycled content from the manufacture of IKO PVC single ply membranes, making it a sustainable choice. In addition to its structural waterproofing benefits, as a flexible DPC, IKO Hyload Original DPC can also be used in cavity tray applications, offering an impermeable solution for contractors and housebuilders looking for a sustainable and NHBC-compliant product.

IKO’s due diligence and high level of transparency can be a springboard for stockists and builders looking to tangibly demonstrate their own dedication to more sustainable and sympathetic construction practices.

What’s more, as a complete, single supply partner, IKO offers an all-encompassing range of added value solutions to stockists, supported by a team of technical experts. We also offer visibility of the environmental impact of a product over its expected lifetime by providing Environmental Product Declarations for our products. From IKO Hyload Original DPC’s extensive range of complementary, compatible system components and preformed cloaks to IKO enertherm PIR energy efficiency-boosting floor and wall insulation, stockists and tradespeople can trust in IKO to deliver everything they need, when they need it.

International and industry efforts to decarbonise

At IKO, a commitment to continuous improvement is woven into the fabric of our company. That’s why we are taking our carbon reduction to the next level. As part of our pledge to safeguard what truly matters, we’ve set and are actively working towards meeting our scientifically-backed targets, aligning with climate science and the Science Based Targets initiative. We’ve committed to achieving a 42% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and targeting net zero emissions with a 95% reduction in scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2050. These targets form an integral part of our decarbonisation strategy and demonstrate our dedication to fulfilling our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

We are also a partner of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, sharing in the ethos that everyone within the supply chain – from source to site – has a responsibility to commit to more sustainable operations. As the production, use and disposal of materials account for a large proportion of energy consumption in construction, we recognise our collective role in helping to offset or minimise these risks.

Manufactured in the UK. Made for the future. 

At IKO, we take pride in our position as a responsible manufacturer that operates with a deep-rooted respect for people and the planet. Advocating and adhering to the highest standards in sustainable, sympathetic and supportive industry practices sit at the heart of our business.

We know that effecting positive change requires a concerted effort – from manufacturer and merchant to commercial builder and client. But we believe that step by step, brick by brick, the UK construction industry can build and benefit from a brighter, cleaner future.