Sustainability

The energy performance of buildings plays a major role in curbing climate change. It is important to take sustainability aspects into consideration when planning buildings. These aspects include energy-efficiency, environmental friendliness, efficient utilisation of renewable energy sources, and lifecycle thinking.

Naturally pro-environmental solutions

The development of environmentally friendly products is nothing new to Uponor. The company aims at not only meeting minimum standards but taking environmental considerations beyond those required. The environmental burden of Uponor’s products is small since they save on energy, costs, and harm to the environment during all stages of use, from delivery and installation to the end of the product’s lifecycle. Plastic pipes have a long service life, after which they can be recycled or reused.

Uponor’s radiant underfloor heating system creates a perfect match with renewable energy sources. Underfloor heating saves energy, since the room temperature can be reduced by several degrees.

More stringent drinking water regulations are setting higher requirements for pipe raw materials. Uponor’s systems are in line with these regulations, ensuring that water running through them remains pure.

Sustainability in manufacture

Uponor seeks to consider environmental aspects in the development and manufacture of its products. The manufacture does not generate major emissions or other hazards to the environment. Raw material waste is crushed and either reused in production or sold for recycling or energy use. Environmental effects of transportation are minimised through efficient delivery planning.

Furthermore, maintaining and improving employee well-being and appreciating partners, consumers and society constitute an essential part of responsible business operations for Uponor.

Activities on a broad front

Uponor participates in numerous organisations and projects aimed at increasing the environmental friendliness and energy efficiency of products and operations, as well as various non-profit initiatives focusing on increasing awareness of these issues.

Uponor is a member of the Spanish, US and UK Green Building Councils and a founding member of the Finnish Green Building Council, enabling Uponor to contribute to making the real estate and construction sector overall more environmentally friendly. Via the European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA), Uponor has joined a voluntary recycling programme and is participating in the definition of environmental product declarations.

Uponor has also signed the ENCORD sustainable development charter of the European Network of Construction Companies for Research and Development (ENCORD) which incorporates such fundamental principles as lifecycle development, social responsibility in local communities, ethical working standards, caring for our employees and engaging our stakeholders.

Since 1995, Uponor has been a Founder of the Stockholm Water Foundation, which aims to encourage research into, and the development of, the world’s water environment. The foundation annually awards the Stockholm Water Prize, an international water protection award, to an individual, organisation or institution for outstanding water-related activities.