Quality without compromise
At a time when sustainability is paramount to winning new business, environmentally-friendly product solutions are more crucial than ever when designing for the built environment.
Finding the right materials that enable you to meet client requirements and deliver a high-quality, long-lasting finish is critical.
It’s therefore vital for manufacturers to take action and offer solutions that not only contribute to the visual aesthetics of spaces but prioritise the wellbeing of our planet.
When it comes to coatings, one of the simplest ways to improve a building’s sustainability credentials is to opt for paint brands that offer low-VOC formulations (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are chemicals that can be emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, potentially causing adverse health effects and contributing to environmental pollution. Low-VOC formulations ensure that the impact on air quality and human health is minimised, offering a safer and healthier living environment.
Last year, we introduced Crown Trade Clean Extreme Clean Air, a new low-VOC product that has been certified as meeting BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) regulations, demonstrating our commitment to producing paints that align with the highest standards in the industry.
Clean Extreme Clean Air is also equipped with innovative technology, which actively contributes to purifying the air within enclosed spaces. By absorbing harmful chemicals like formaldehyde from the surrounding environment, our paints not only provide aesthetic enhancements but also contribute to a healthier indoor atmosphere from the very first coat.
Opting for water-based products, such as our Fastflow Quick Dry range, provides a high-quality alternative to solvent-based paints that will save time and money while still giving the perfect finish.
However, preference for sustainable products should by no means equate to a compromise in the quality of their performance. For example, Clean Extreme Clean Air is stain resistant and independently tested to a Class 1 scrub rating. This durability ensures a long-lasting impact and extended maintenance cycle.
Manufacturing for good
Beyond product innovation, the manufacturing process plays a huge role in the sustainability of the construction industry.
As we move towards Industry 4.0, which will see the next phase of digitisation within the sector, many architects and designers will be searching for manufacturers who are driving this forward.
While 2050 might feel a long way off, it’s vital that manufacturers of all sizes begin acting today to reduce their emissions in line with net-zero targets.
We started this journey a few years back and at the end of 2021 opened a new materials and packaging warehouse, alongside installing new machinery and technology into our existing factory.
This has enabled us to optimise flows within the factory, which makes us more efficient and reduces our overall carbon footprint by reducing energy usage. Through this technology, we are proud that 100% of our owned operations run on renewable energy from certified sources.
And we’re not stopping there, we have set ourselves goals to achieve complete carbon neutrality across our own operations by 2026 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our entire supply chain by 50% by 2030.
We aim to become a zero-waste-to-landfill business by 2026, and all our plastic packaging will contain 80% recycled content by 2025. That’s well beyond the UK Plastic Packaging Tax threshold of at least 30%.
Sustainability in practice
We recently provided a specification service for the design of Material Source Studio, the Glasgow-based hub for architects and designers, as part of our involvement as a partner at the studio.
The latest Material Source Studio is only the second of its kind in the UK and is located in Glasgow’s West George Street. The studio offers a dedicated space in the heart of the Scottish city, designed specifically to support the region’s architecture, design and property communities.
Our expert colour studio team worked with Material Source Co-Founder and Creative Director, Darren Clanford, to bring the comprehensive colour scheme to life through product specification featuring our Clean Extreme Clean Air and Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt products.
Vibrant colours, including a striking brick red, bold green and deep navy, were paired with a neutral stone shade to promote a warm and welcoming environment, whilst also upholding the vibrancy and social nature of the professional hub.
Clean Extreme Clean Air was chosen for its sustainable properties. The BREAAM- and LEED-compliant paint removes 45% of the formaldehyde present from the air, helping to ensure the building was fit for purpose from the very start of the project.
