Responsible consumption and production

Innovative and durable products enabling a more sustainable lifestyle

For us responsible consumption and production means durable and sustainable product and service offering. We use raw materials efficiently and we build ways to enhance the circular economy.

Sustainable production is about resource and energy efficiency for us. We continuously strive to create innovative solutions hat help to create comfortable, safe and energy-efficient built environments. Innovation is also the key in the important transition from a take-make-waste economy to a circular economy.

Our aim is to reduce the use of virgin raw materials and we are participating in different R&D initiatives that investigate alternatives to oil-based resins. In addition, we search for solutions to reduce the use of packaging materials and increase the use of recyclable packaging materials.

Plastics belong to the circular economy. Therefore, we want to increase and enhance the recycling of plastics. We produce plastic products with a long lifetime – they last in use and most of them can be recycled after use. We want to improve people’s understanding of the role of various plastics in society and how plastics can be part of circular economy.

The typical waste from our manufacturing facilities comprises of either plastic or metals. We aim to recycle all metal and plastic waste. Still, part of our plastic waste is non-recyclable, and we continuously work towards a sustainable solution in this matter. We aim to reduce the amount of waste with the aim of zero waste to landfill. Our production generates only a small amount of hazardous waste. Based on information provided by suppliers, all Uponor products and systems comply with the requirements of the European REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation. While North America does not have a REACH regulation of its own, we follow the EU regulation throughout the company when appropriate.

Committed to reducing plastic pellet loss to the environment

Reference: Operation Clean Sweep

Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) is an international initiative from the plastics industry to reduce plastic pellet loss to the environment. The aim of the initiative is to ensure that the plastic pellets, flakes and powders that pass through manufacturing facilities are handled with care and do not end up in the environment. As a member of TEPPFA (The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association), we are committed to implementing OCS at our manufacturing facilities by the end of 2021.

Committing to OCS means that a number of Uponorians will be trained by TEPPFA during 2020. Our own internal work – gathering and exploring examples of best practices – has started. We have already been testing a strainer, developed by one of our employees, that gathers plastic flakes and powder from the manufacturing facility’s floor before it ends up in the sewer.

Going forward, we want to do our part to protect the environment and encourage all companies in our sector to commit to OCS.

Harmonisation of international markets for construction products

Background Regulation Our actions

Background

There is no binding harmonisation of international markets for construction products which is not desirable for the branch as whole
Harmonisation of international markets for construction products would help to make more easily materials comparable
There is a rather big variation in construction products on international markets due to little harmonisation

Regulation

The EU regulates product standards for construction products on general level, but members states can choose what to use
Harmonised European standards on construction products are developed by technical experts from European Standardisation Organisations (CEN/CENELEC)
With CE marking, a manufacturer can ensure that the properties of a construction product are in line with the harmonised European product standard, or the European technical approval (ETA)
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards give consumers confidence in the construction industry, providing reassurance that buildings and related structures such as bridges are built to internationally agreed safety and quality standards

Our actions

We aim to improve the comparability of construction products => same standards for all
Harmonisation of quality standards for international market of construction products
We support the move from national standards to the EU and ISO standards
We speak out about the benefits of standards for the construction sector We support the work of Technical Committees of CEN and ISO that work on completing the necessary set of European and international product and testing standards and further improving existing ones
The construction product regulation (CPR) will be reviewed and revised on European level. We strongly support the process and work hard to improve the dysfunctional part of CPR