Architect and Builder April 2017 | Page 71

The dam uses rainwater stored from the factory roofs in non-critical applications and achieves a 24% reduction in municipal water consumption Belgotex’s Pietermaritzburg Head Office and showroom where the factory is situated reducing their waste rates from their carpet production processes to close to zero. It also offers up to 20% energy savings, resulting in lower production costs and reduced CO2 emissions. initiatives are at the forefront of their business practices. Going forward, we look forward to seeing more green transformation in the industrial and manufacturing sector in South Africa.” Product Innovations The raw materials for several eco-products are derived from post- industrial and post-consumer waste, such as Green underlay and the new EOSBac backing system, as well as various carpet ranges. Their bestselling Berber Point 920 commercial carpet and other needlepunch carpet products are made with a blend of polypropylene and recycled Eco Fibre or Eco Yarn. This Eco- fibre is manufactured using post production waste, which is re- pelletized (utilising the cutting edge Erema recycling machinery). The input of this recycled content in their production process considerably lowers the embodied energy associated with virgin raw material use. Energy Management Numerous energy optimisation initiatives were implemented to reduce non-renewable energy consumption. These include the installation of a R17-million photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant, energy-efficient LED lights and automatic motion sensors and extensive plant upgrades to more energy-efficient equipment. Training Belgotex also operate an extensive education and training programme that seeks to identify and develop talent, especially women, in the production and management of its products. “Our main goal is to operate a sustainable factory wherever economically and environmentally feasible,” explains Kevin Walsh, chief operations officer at Belgotex Floors. “For us, it makes good business sense. It improves operational efficiencies, product development and social upliftment and positions us as industry leaders.” “GBCSA congratulates Belgotex on their 6 Star rating and on embracing green building practices, leading the way in creating more sustainable industrial facilities in the country, and for having this independently verified through the country’s leading authority on green buildings,” says Manfred Braune, chief technical officer of the GBCSA. “It is encouraging to see companies of this stature ensuring that their environmental and sustainability measures and Advertorial For further information please contact: BELGOTEX FLOORS 033 897 7500 - Head Office 021 763 6900 - Cape Town 011 380 9300 - Johannesburg www.belgotexfloors.co.za LinkedIn: BelgotexFloors GBCSA Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) Gillian Gernetzky, Communications Manager, GBCSA Tel: 086 104 2272 www.gbcsa.org.za Waste fibre and yarn is recycled back into production and blended with polypropylene for the production of needlepunch ranges 71