The construction sector is responsible for the emission of approximately 36% of CO2 and the generation of around 30% of waste. Moving to a circular, zero-emission economy is challenging, but achievable. By accepting this challenge, Tecnostrutture decided to involve all team members in the design and construction of more sustainable buildings. For people who live and work in these buildings, this is our contribution for their better future.
They are made from up to 93% recycled steel and have an Environmental Product Declaration. They contribute to LEED and DGNB credits.
Tecnostrutture has decided to voluntarily draw up its own sustainability report.
In this report we communicate in a transparent manner who we are, the activities carried out, the results achieved, and the environmental, social and governance sustainability objectives we are pursuing.
READ THE REPORTTecnostrutture has decided to communicate the environmental performance of its products in a transparent way, providing detailed information on their environmental impact, certified by the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
Download the documents useful for evaluating the environmental performance of Tecnostrutture products and verifying their compliance with the various protocols.
EPD NPS® Beam EPD NPS® PDTI Column
We passionately embarked on our journey towards sustainability in 2004 by designing the first ever rafter with a pure clay base. We have been members of the Green Building Council since 2010 and the NPS® products are mapped according to the LEED protocol.
We have now decided to make sustainability an integral part of our company strategy through two distinct choices:
1. Everyone at Tecnostrutture is involved in this journey,
each one giving their own contribution to reduce our impact on the environment.
2. We have started quantifying our progresses and communicating them transparently, starting with sharing the LCA results.
Successful sustainable development requires collaboration between all interested parties.
This is why Tecnostrutture's cross-functional Sustainability Committee plays such a key role. Its members, the Sustainers, are true advocates of change. They are intentionally chosen across all the company's main organisational areas for their competences and to allow an impact on the entire organisation. They support the boards in identifying substantial, effective, shared proposals and solutions.
In addition, Tecnostrutture can count on its own Steering Committee, which provides scientific guidance and enriches the company’s discussions. It is made up of representatives from the academic and green building worlds: Prof. Chiara Calderini, Prof. Andrea Di Lenna, Eng. Andrea Fornasiero.
The two groups constantly work towards a common goal, keeping up with regular meetings to share, align and plan their next steps.
The first thing we did was to commission the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of NPS® System products to a recognised institution, in this case the University of Genoa.
LCA is a structured and standardised method at international level that quantifies the potential impacts on the environment associated with a product in relation to the consumption of resources and emissions, taking into account its entire life cycle: from the purchase of raw materials to the end of its life.
The results of this analysis were our starting point in order to understand the environmental impact of NPS® buildings throughout their life cycle and to define the priorities of actions to reduce the effect of NPS® on the environment.
Considering a multi-storey building actually built, the University of Genoa has calculated the energy consumption and CO2 released by NPS® buildings, comparing it to that of steel structures and structures built using the traditional reinforced concrete method.
The scientific results of the Life Cycle Assessment show that NPS® has a lower impact than other construction solutions, both in terms of energy consumption and CO2 produced.
Find out moreAfter conducting the comparative LCA between NPS®, steel and reinforced concrete structures, Tecnostrutture conducted an LCA per kilogram of product. We are able to demonstrate the environmental impact per kilogram of NPS beam and column and per square metre of Airfloor™ floor.
Based on the LCA, an EPD has been issued for each NPS® product, which complies with EN 15804 and ISO 14025.
The EPD allows project teams to make informed decisions regarding the environmental impact of each NPS® product and their compliance with sustainability protocols (e.g. LEED, DGNB).
Buildings and the construction sector currently represent 39% of CO2 emissions (UN Environment ONU, 2017). Construction and demolition waste make up almost 30% of all waste in Europe (ECIF, 2019). Furthermore, the Global Construction Report forecasts that by 2030 there will be an 85% increase in the construction market moving towards fast-growing markets (GCP, 2015).
These figures show the potential contribution that the construction industry can give towards a more sustainable world. This is why Tecnostrutture has decided to make sustainability an integral part of the company strategy.