The journey to Net Zero may still seem long, but the time to act and ensure meaningful impact is running out. In the building products sector, momentum is shifting, and those who possibly once saw sustainability as a box-ticking exercise are now embracing it as a core driver of innovation and resilience.

In 2024, we formally submitted our Net Zero targets to the Science Based Targets initiative( SBTi), underpinned by a robust transition plan that lays out how we’ ll decarbonise our operations and supply chain by 2045. From increasing our use of renewable electricity to decarbonising transport and ramping up our closedloop recycling processes, our plan is not only ambitious, it will be independently verified, science-aligned, and commercially meaningful.

One of the most significant steps in that journey is the move towards lower-carbon raw materials. That’ s why last year we became the first systems house to integrate Neovyn, a new generation, low-carbon PVC resin, into one of our premium window systems- Modus

Let’ s be clear: this isn’ t a minor material tweak. Neovyn is produced using renewable electricity and boasts a greenhouse gas( GHG) footprint of just 1.3 kg CO₂e per kg of PVC; around 37 % lower than the EU industry average. For specifiers, fabricators and installers, this translates to a significant reduction in Scope 3 emissions, which are the indirect greenhouse gases linked to external suppliers and partners. These emissions are coming under increasing scrutiny as sustainability regulations and procurement frameworks evolve.

We chose our Modus profile system to lead this transition. Already well-regarded

for its thermal performance( U-values as low as 0.76 W / m ² K) and containing the highest recycled content across our manufactured product range, Modus is a strong performer in both the new build and commercial markets- areas where low-carbon specification is fast becoming the norm.

We also wanted to make sure our move to Neovyn was truly to the benefit of our customers. That’ s why we absorbed the cost of introducing Neovyn- we’ re enabling our customers, across trade, retail and commercial, to access a premium, low-carbon product without additional material cost.

Our world-class recycling facility, located less than 10 miles from our main manufacturing site in Derbyshire, gives us

further carbon advantages. This geographic proximity helps us minimise transport emissions and operate a truly closed-loop recycling model. We’ re already diverting the equivalent of around 3 million old PVC-U window frames from landfill each year and we have achieved 32 % recycled content across extrusion, progress we’ re continuing to build on.

Crucially, Neovyn’ s introduction doesn’ t compromise recyclability. Modus profiles remain fully compatible with our recycling infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability throughout the product lifecycle.

This is not a one-off innovation. It’ s a milestone within our broader strategy to embed low-carbon materials and processes across our product range. As legislation

tightens and the Future Homes Standard looms, our customers need reassurance that their supply chain partners are ready, not just to talk the talk, but to meet future-facing requirements with confidence and credibility.

Looking ahead, we expect the adoption of low-carbon resins like Neovyn to become an industry standard. But leadership is required; from systems houses, from fabricators, and from those specifying on major developments. By acting early and investing in credible solutions, we’ re making it easier for others to follow.

Sustainable innovation shouldn’ t be a trade-off- it has to be the new standard.

www. eurocell. co. uk