This document provides an overview of Accoya wood and its sustainability advantages over traditional building materials. It discusses the current linear economy model's reliance on non-renewable materials and outlines Accoya's potential to enable a circular, biobased economy. Accoya is produced from sustainably sourced wood through an acetylation process that improves the wood's durability, stability, and resistance to decay without adding any toxic chemicals. This allows Accoya to sequester carbon over its long lifetime and be fully recyclable at end of life, fitting within a circular Cradle to Cradle model. Life cycle analyses have found Accoya to have carbon negative impacts compared to traditional materials like plastics and
Sustainable design for a low carbon footprint by Fabiano XimenesFWPA
Sustainable design for a low carbon footprint
Fabiano Ximenes, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Carbon positive wood and wood products are enabling architects and designers to create buildings with low or zero (negative is possible!) carbon footprints.
Materials in Action - Examining the Impacts of Building Materials Think Wood
When an architect specifies a building material, that choice casts a long shadow. While most of the environmental effects from materials occur during the extraction and production phases, they continue to influence a structures' environmental footprint long afterwards, throughout the operations phase and beyond. This presentation evaluates the environmental impact of building materials wood, concrete and steel.
Sustainable design for a low carbon footprint by Fabiano XimenesFWPA
Sustainable design for a low carbon footprint
Fabiano Ximenes, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Carbon positive wood and wood products are enabling architects and designers to create buildings with low or zero (negative is possible!) carbon footprints.
Materials in Action - Examining the Impacts of Building Materials Think Wood
When an architect specifies a building material, that choice casts a long shadow. While most of the environmental effects from materials occur during the extraction and production phases, they continue to influence a structures' environmental footprint long afterwards, throughout the operations phase and beyond. This presentation evaluates the environmental impact of building materials wood, concrete and steel.
It is all about sustainable buildings or green buildings and a brief study of some sustainable building materials we can use for making a building sustainable and green.
Future Trends - Recycling - Demolished Construction MaterialsBruce LaCour
This transition where many essentials become less abundant and more expensive won’t be accepted as permanent by many; however, those that make the transition swiftly will quickly move to many areas of recycling. These will be some of the business survivors I have referred to in earlier articles. One of the biggest recycling movements will be deconstruction and using recovered materials for different uses.
Green Building Envelopes 101 was given as a 2 hour presentation at the National Building Envelope Council Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba in May 2011.
Natural fibre has emerged as a renewable and cheaper substitute to synthetic materials such as
glass, carbon and aramid, which are used as reinforcements. The chemical composition of natural fibres may
differ with the growing condition and test methods even for the same kind of fibre, hence the need to develop
fiber using bamboo from Nigeria to carry out this research. In this work, the objective was to develop,
investigate and analyze the physical properties of long bamboo fiber obtained locally from Nigeria. Fresh
bamboo was obtained and the fibre extracted using maceration method. Different physical properties of the long
bamboo fibre were determined to ascertain their applicability. It was found that the pH values of the solution
before and after extraction were 3.0 and 4.0 respectively. Thedensity of the dry bamboo (1.11g/cm
3
) is slightly
above that of water and that of the long bamboo fibre was found to be 0.5580 g/cm
3
Sustainable Building Materials in Kerala – An OverviewIDES Editor
Kerala, God’s own country is blessed with immense
natural resources. It’s high time that the state’s natural
resources being utilized effectively. While sustainable
development is the need of the hour, we have to take lead in
initiating activities that would minimize the exploitation of
our natural resources resulting in their effective utilization.
This paper narrates an overview of innovative building
materials especially using natural fibres available in Kerala
and discusses the feasibility of utilising such fibres in the
context of sustainable building materials in Kerala. The paper
also discusses how these materials can be effectively utilized
to reduce the huge investment in the construction industry.
Analysis of Upgradation of a Convectional Building into Green BuildingIJSRD
The phenomenon of global warming or climate change has led to many environmental issues including higher atmospheric temperatures, intensive precipitation, and increased Greenhouse gaseous emission and of course increased indoor discomfort condition. Researchers worldwide collectively agreed that one way of reducing the impact of global warming is by implementing Green Roof Technology which integrates vegetation, growing medium and water proofing membrane on top of the roof surface. This study emphasized to first analysis a convectional Building than upgrade it to a Green Building by the use of some Eco- Friendly materials. In addition to this by the use of some smart electrification work we can also conserve an ample amount of energy in a Convectional Building. Than by the use of different agencies which would provide checklist for Green Building we can rate a Convectional Building which is been upgraded into a Green Building..The objectives of this research were is Reduction in the indoor temperature of the room contributes reduction in energy consumption in the building. By the use of smart electrification an ample amount of energy can also be conserved. By the use of eco- friendly materials and waste products an ample amount of money can also be saved. Although by the up gradation of convectional building the initial cost will be high because of the use of some special material such as solar panel, rain water harvesting system but their application will return 10 times of what we invested
Bamboo is considered one of the best eco-friendly building materials. It has an incredibly high self-generation rate, with some being reported to have grown up to three feet within 24 hours. It continues spreading and growing without having to be replanted after harvest. Bamboo is a perennial grass and not wood and grows on every continent, except Europe and Antarctica.
It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio, even greater comprehensive strength than concrete and brick, and lasts incredibly long. It is, therefore, the best choice for flooring and cabinetry. Unfortunately, bamboo requires treatment to resist insects and rot. If left untreated, bamboo contains a starch that greatly invites insects, and it could swell and crack after absorbing water.
2. Precast Concrete Slabs
Precast Concrete Slabs
The slabs are formed at a manufacturer’s site and are shipped in whole sections to construction sites. Some are made entirely of concrete but have large hollow air spaces, like concrete blocks. Precast concrete slabs are used for walls and building facades as they hold up well to all sorts of weather, while others can be used for floor and flat roofs.
Concrete is an excellent way of controlling heat within a building and is affordable as a building material. The sustainability of precast concrete slabs is higher than many traditional concrete options as the slabs often take much less energy to produce and assemble. Precasting concrete also allows the material to properly cure in a controlled environment, rather than exposing it to a variety of unfavorable weather conditions while curing at a construction site. As such, precast concrete slabs avoid cracks and structural faults within the concrete and eventual demolitions.
4. Straw Bales
Straw Bales
It is another green building material that can be used as a framing material. They have good insulation properties and can act as soundproof material. It can also be used as fill material in between columns and in beams framework/ as they cannot allow air through, they can have some fire resistance properties.
Straw can be harvested and re-planted easily with minimal environmental impacts. Making straw into bales also has very low influence. They can also be placed in walls, attics and ceilings, to contribute to cooler the house in the summer and warmer temperatures in the winter.
5. Recycled Plastic
small-plants-bottle-recycle
Source: Canva
Rather than sourcing, mining and milling new components for construction, manufacturers are using recycled plastic and other ground-up trash to produce concrete. The practice is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is giving plastic waste new use, rather than clogging landfills and contributing to plastic pollution.
A blend of recycled and virgin plastic is also used to make polymeric timbers, for use in making fences, picnic tables and other structures, at the same time, saving trees. Plastic from two-liter bottles can be spun into fiber for the production of
It is all about sustainable buildings or green buildings and a brief study of some sustainable building materials we can use for making a building sustainable and green.
Future Trends - Recycling - Demolished Construction MaterialsBruce LaCour
This transition where many essentials become less abundant and more expensive won’t be accepted as permanent by many; however, those that make the transition swiftly will quickly move to many areas of recycling. These will be some of the business survivors I have referred to in earlier articles. One of the biggest recycling movements will be deconstruction and using recovered materials for different uses.
Green Building Envelopes 101 was given as a 2 hour presentation at the National Building Envelope Council Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba in May 2011.
Natural fibre has emerged as a renewable and cheaper substitute to synthetic materials such as
glass, carbon and aramid, which are used as reinforcements. The chemical composition of natural fibres may
differ with the growing condition and test methods even for the same kind of fibre, hence the need to develop
fiber using bamboo from Nigeria to carry out this research. In this work, the objective was to develop,
investigate and analyze the physical properties of long bamboo fiber obtained locally from Nigeria. Fresh
bamboo was obtained and the fibre extracted using maceration method. Different physical properties of the long
bamboo fibre were determined to ascertain their applicability. It was found that the pH values of the solution
before and after extraction were 3.0 and 4.0 respectively. Thedensity of the dry bamboo (1.11g/cm
3
) is slightly
above that of water and that of the long bamboo fibre was found to be 0.5580 g/cm
3
Sustainable Building Materials in Kerala – An OverviewIDES Editor
Kerala, God’s own country is blessed with immense
natural resources. It’s high time that the state’s natural
resources being utilized effectively. While sustainable
development is the need of the hour, we have to take lead in
initiating activities that would minimize the exploitation of
our natural resources resulting in their effective utilization.
This paper narrates an overview of innovative building
materials especially using natural fibres available in Kerala
and discusses the feasibility of utilising such fibres in the
context of sustainable building materials in Kerala. The paper
also discusses how these materials can be effectively utilized
to reduce the huge investment in the construction industry.
Analysis of Upgradation of a Convectional Building into Green BuildingIJSRD
The phenomenon of global warming or climate change has led to many environmental issues including higher atmospheric temperatures, intensive precipitation, and increased Greenhouse gaseous emission and of course increased indoor discomfort condition. Researchers worldwide collectively agreed that one way of reducing the impact of global warming is by implementing Green Roof Technology which integrates vegetation, growing medium and water proofing membrane on top of the roof surface. This study emphasized to first analysis a convectional Building than upgrade it to a Green Building by the use of some Eco- Friendly materials. In addition to this by the use of some smart electrification work we can also conserve an ample amount of energy in a Convectional Building. Than by the use of different agencies which would provide checklist for Green Building we can rate a Convectional Building which is been upgraded into a Green Building..The objectives of this research were is Reduction in the indoor temperature of the room contributes reduction in energy consumption in the building. By the use of smart electrification an ample amount of energy can also be conserved. By the use of eco- friendly materials and waste products an ample amount of money can also be saved. Although by the up gradation of convectional building the initial cost will be high because of the use of some special material such as solar panel, rain water harvesting system but their application will return 10 times of what we invested
Bamboo is considered one of the best eco-friendly building materials. It has an incredibly high self-generation rate, with some being reported to have grown up to three feet within 24 hours. It continues spreading and growing without having to be replanted after harvest. Bamboo is a perennial grass and not wood and grows on every continent, except Europe and Antarctica.
It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio, even greater comprehensive strength than concrete and brick, and lasts incredibly long. It is, therefore, the best choice for flooring and cabinetry. Unfortunately, bamboo requires treatment to resist insects and rot. If left untreated, bamboo contains a starch that greatly invites insects, and it could swell and crack after absorbing water.
2. Precast Concrete Slabs
Precast Concrete Slabs
The slabs are formed at a manufacturer’s site and are shipped in whole sections to construction sites. Some are made entirely of concrete but have large hollow air spaces, like concrete blocks. Precast concrete slabs are used for walls and building facades as they hold up well to all sorts of weather, while others can be used for floor and flat roofs.
Concrete is an excellent way of controlling heat within a building and is affordable as a building material. The sustainability of precast concrete slabs is higher than many traditional concrete options as the slabs often take much less energy to produce and assemble. Precasting concrete also allows the material to properly cure in a controlled environment, rather than exposing it to a variety of unfavorable weather conditions while curing at a construction site. As such, precast concrete slabs avoid cracks and structural faults within the concrete and eventual demolitions.
4. Straw Bales
Straw Bales
It is another green building material that can be used as a framing material. They have good insulation properties and can act as soundproof material. It can also be used as fill material in between columns and in beams framework/ as they cannot allow air through, they can have some fire resistance properties.
Straw can be harvested and re-planted easily with minimal environmental impacts. Making straw into bales also has very low influence. They can also be placed in walls, attics and ceilings, to contribute to cooler the house in the summer and warmer temperatures in the winter.
5. Recycled Plastic
small-plants-bottle-recycle
Source: Canva
Rather than sourcing, mining and milling new components for construction, manufacturers are using recycled plastic and other ground-up trash to produce concrete. The practice is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is giving plastic waste new use, rather than clogging landfills and contributing to plastic pollution.
A blend of recycled and virgin plastic is also used to make polymeric timbers, for use in making fences, picnic tables and other structures, at the same time, saving trees. Plastic from two-liter bottles can be spun into fiber for the production of
This presentation debunks many of the common misconceptions about forests, carbon, and climate change. [A few of the slides did not convert very well. Contact me at dh@oregonwild.org if you want me to send you a link to the latest powerpoint.]
Carbon Storage & Low Energy Intensity in Harvested Wood ProductsBecky LaPlant
Presentation by Jim Bowyer, Dovetail Partners, at the Blandin Foundation sponsored Forest Values and Carbon Markets: Opportunities for Minnesota conference. February 25-26, 2009 at the Cloquet Forestry Center, Cloquet MN
2. 2
sourcing
production
product
use
waste
energy consumption
(limited) recycling
PROBLEM: LINEAR ECONOMY BASED ON
NON-RENEWABLE MATERIALS
As a result of increasing global population
and consumption, and a make-take-waste
mentality, our planet is overexploited
resulting in depletion of resources, mass
deforestation of tropical forests, a huge
waste problem, toxic emissions and global
warming.
Against this backdrop it seems unimaginable to keep
mass consuming endangered materials like tropical
hardwood and materials from non-renewable resources
such as plastics, concrete and metals.
It is evident that our current linear economy model,
often reliant on non renewable materials that require
huge amounts of energy to produce, cannot endure.
Although there are various initiatives, including the
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) principle, that emphasise closing
the loop of the so-called technical cycle for non
renewable materials, in reality this is more an exception
to the rule than current practice. When recycling of non
renewable materials does occur, often a large amount
of energy is needed to make this happen, resulting in
additional greenhouse gas emissions.
3. 3
acetylation is a revolutionary wood modification
process, which has been known and studied for over
80 years, it involves the reaction of wood (or wood
particles) with acetic anhydride, through which the free
-oh (hydroxyl) groups – causing the shrink and swell
of wood and the susceptibility to decay - within the
cell wall are replaced by more stable and hydrophobic
non-toxic acetyl groups, naturally occurring in wood.
as a result, the stability and durability of the wood
significantly increases. the co-product of this process
is acetic acid, otherwise known as vinegar in its dilute
form, which is reused in a wide range of industries.
SOLUTION: BIOBASED CIRCULAR ECONOMY
BASED ON RENEWABLE MATERIALS
A shift towards a biobased paradigm is
urgently needed, based on abundantly
available - and easily recyclable -
renewable resources, with the same high
level performance as the best man made
materials.
Wouldn’t it be great if there could be a new natural
building material that could combine all positive
attributes from sustainable wood - renewability,
strength, beauty, carbon sink ability - without the
typical downfalls -inconsistent quality and poor
durability & stability?
Imagine a revolutionary material that is CO² neutral over
the full life cycle, which can be easily recycled to the
highest quality exterior boards. Imagine a new material
that even if just discarded is 100% biodegradable,
fitting perfectly in the so-called biological cycle of the
C2C philosophy. With the invention of Accoya® wood
and Tricoya® wood elements the transition to a circular
biobased economy can actually become a reality.
sourcing
production
product
use
waste
composting
bio-energy
energy consumption
recycling
acetic acidacetic
anhydride
accoya wood
or tricoya
wood elements
wood (or
elements)
wood -oh
-oh
wood o
o
o
o
o
o
ch³
ch³
ch³
ch³
4. 4
PROBLEM
Current consumption in human
society shows a strong addiction to
non renewable materials and fossil
fuels while deforestation of tropical
rainforests still continues at a high
rate, which not only results in resource
depletion but also means extra releases
of greenhouse gases further enhancing
the global warming problem.
For the world as a whole, carbon stocks in forest
biomass decreased by an estimated 0.5 Gigatons
due to deforestation in tropical regions worldwide
between 2005 and 2010, where a region of over 8
million hectares was deforested (Source: FAO Global
Forest Resources Assessment 2010).
PRODUCTION
PHASE
carbon sequestration
in wood
through the photosynthesis process trees
absorb co
²
and solar energy in their
creation of wood, while releasing oxygen in
return. depending on the density of the wood
(the denser, the more carbon is stored), 1 m³
of wood may store over 1 ton of co
²
for its
useful life!
source: building with wood = the active form of climate protection
(2011) center of life and food sciences weihenstephan technische
universität münchen
9,500 mj
solar
energy
1 m³
of wood
0.9 ton
co
²
0.7 ton
oxygen
0.5 ton
water
0.3 ton
water
nutrient
elements
n, p, k,
mg, ca
photo-
synthesis
5. 5
SOLUTION
A natural solution for the problem of
ecosystem deterioration and global
warming is actually already available
but often overlooked: wood from well
managed sources.
Forests are an important carbon sink by filtering
CO² out of the air and absorbing this in the biomass
of the tree. For the sake of climate protection,
it is actually best to harvest as much wood as
sustainable for production of durable products –
acting as temporary carbon sinks - while managing
the forest well for new biomass production. As wood
is a renewable resource, this is a very effective way
to continuously absorb carbon in the forest as well
as in durable products. As a result of sustainable
management in Europe and North America, the their
net forest area has been increasing steadily for
several decades. To produce Accoya® and Tricoya®,
only abundantly available, typically fast growing
wood species, such as Radiata pine, are being
used from certified sustainably managed sources
including FSC® and PEFC™.
annual yield
comparison
fast growing softwood species such as
radiata pine are primarily used to produce
accoya®
. this means that there is an ample
supply of timber from certified sources for
the production of accoya®
wood to replace
scarcely available certified tropical
hardwood and other compromised non
renewable building materials for demanding
exterior applications.
source: fao (2006), usda forest service (2013), maf (2013)
mean annual increment for
plantation grown timber
(m³/ha/yr)
10
0
15
20
25
30
5
teak
(asia)
spruce
(scandi-
navia)
scots
pine
(scandi-
navia)
western
red cedar
(north
america)
radiata
pine
(new
zealand)
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING
- sustainably sourced wood
- made from abundantly available,
fast growing species
- non-toxic; nothing is added to
the wood that does not naturally
occur in it
6. 6
PROBLEM
Although from a resource and carbon
sequestration perspective wood
seems like the ideal material, there is
an important reason why it has not
been adopted as the main building
material in modern markets: mediocre
performance in use - poor durability and
dimensional stability leading to short
life spans and frequent maintenance.
Whereas tropical hardwoods represent some of the
best performing and most beautiful woods available,
there is simply not enough to sustainably harvest
anymore with depletion of tropical rainforest as a
catastrophical consequence. Man-made materials
based on metals, plastics and concrete, but also
chemical wood preservation with toxic substances,
solved some durability issues associated with the
use of most woods, but the environmental damage
in the production and waste phase are no longer
tolerable (landscape deterioration, depletion, toxic
waste).
USE
PHASE
carbon sequestration
potential
leading independent carbon footprint and
life cycle assessment (lca) standards such
as ilcd and pas 2050:2011 allow for the
carbon sequestered in the wood during its
useful life to be included as a negative co
²
value, which is an important consideration
for accoya due to its superior durability
and therefore longer life span. this credit
is included in the cradle to grave carbon
footprint comparison performed by delft
university of technology in 2013 (see right
page).
for example, one of the two road bridges in
sneek, the netherlands comprises 1200 cubic
meters of accoya wood. as a result, 1080
tons of co
²
(0.9 ton co
²
/ m³ × 1200 m³) are
locked in the bridge for nearly a century
(anticipated lifespan of the bridge is 80
years). this is equivalent to eliminating the
annual co
²
emissions of 432 typical western
european households for their energy needs!
1 BRIDGE 432 HOMES
0 YEAR
5 YEARS
10 YEARS
co
²
7. 7
SOLUTION
Through acetylation the downsides of
wood are overcome, providing Accoya®
wood and Tricoya® wood elements
several environmental gains during use.
First, Accoya® and Tricoya® have achieved the
highest durability class possible (Class 1 - EN
350), are guaranteed up to 50 years and have
received several quality certifications (KOMO, RAL,
BBA, WDMA, etc.). Therefore the proven longer
lifespan enables lower material consumption (less
replacement!) over the same period compared to
most other materials, while having larger carbon
sequestration benefits.
Secondly, the superior dimensional stability of
Accoya® and Tricoya® means less coatings need to
be used not only relating to a lower environmental
impact but to lower costs as well.
Finally, compared to other durable wood species,
Accoya® offers superior thermal insulation,
which yields energy conservation advantages in
applications such as window frames.
carbon negative
window frames
• in a cradle to grave carbon footprint
assessment, greenhouse gas emissions (in co
²
equivalent) during the life cycle of a product
can be measured.
• includes end of life scenario (recycling, dump
or incineration for energy) and carbon
sequestration of wood (pas 2050:2011) over a
100 year time frame.
• excludes annual yield, which is an extra
green benefit for renewable materials, but
especially for accoya®
based on fast growing
certified sources.”
source: vogtländer, j.g. (2013). cradle to grave carbon footprint
assessment for accoya®
wood and its applications part 1: window
frame. delft university of technology. publicly available through
www.accoya.com/downloads
LONG LIFE
- enhanced durability
- warranted 50 years above and
25 years in the ground
- improved stability for longer
coating life
- superior thermal insulation 0
200
100
-100
300
accoya®
(eu
alder)
accoya®
(radiata
pine)
aluminium
pvc
red meranti
(unsustainably
sourced)
red
meranti
(sustainably
sourced)
greenhouse gas emissions per
window frame (in kg CO
²
)
0 YEAR
25 YEARS
50 YEARS
8. 8
recycling strategy –
the ladder of lansink
we recommend that users of accoya®
wood and
tricoya®
adopt the recycling strategies known as
the “ladder of lansink”. this model largely follows
the guidelines of the cradle to cradle philosophy to
close biological and technological cycles as much as
possible and re-use materials in applications with
the same or even higher added value (up-cycling).
the model consists of the following possible waste
management scenarios in which prevention is the
preferred option and dumping the least:
PROBLEM
Non renewable man made materials
as well as wood treated with toxic
chemicals pose serious problems in the
end of life phase. Whereas natural wood
is biodegradable, these materials often
end up in landfills and pollute the soil
and surroundings. In the sporadic cases
that non renewable materials such as
plastics and various metals are recycled
this often comes at the expense of the
quality while large amounts of energy
are required throughout this process.
Furthermore, due to overconsumption of fossil
fuels such as coal, oil, gas – causing global warming
– global resource reserves are quickly depleting,
showing the urgent need to focus on energy based
on renewable sources such as sun, hydro, wind and
biomass.
END OF LIFE
PHASE
3
6
7
4
2
1
5
1 prevention - avoid waste
2 prevention - develop products that create no
harmful waste (e.g. 100% biodegradable)
3 useful application through product re-use
4 useful application through material re-use
5 useful application through energy production
(incineration)
6 remove: burn
7 remove: dumping / composting
9. 9
tricoya, the ultimate
second life for wood
fibres and elements
tricoya®
acetylated wood elements (including
chips, fibres and particles) is a revolution
in modified wood fibre technology pioneered
by accsys technologies. tricoya is widely
recognised as the gold standard for high
performance wood elements which can be
used in the manufacturing of external use
panel products where wood panels could
never be used before.
the new design and application possibilities
offered by the marriage of acetylated
wood elements with other materials is
set to excite and stimulate composite
manufacturers, designers, architects and
the construction industry alike, opening up
new possibilities and solutions.
for more info check www.tricoya.com
SOLUTION
In the end of life phase Accoya® has no
limits. Accoya® is a non toxic product
and therefore fully biodegradable.
As a result, Accoya® can be handled in the same
manner as untreated natural wood at the end of
its life and therefore fits perfectly in the Cradle
to Cradle design philosophy for which it has been
awarded the Gold certification as one of few
products worldwide.
Following the “Ladder of Lansink” recycling strategy
(see left), we recommend that Accoya® is re-used
in applications with the same or even higher added
value (up-cycling). Another high added value end
of life scenario for Accoya® is to use it to produce
Tricoya, acetylated wood elements e.g. for the
production of high grade panels. Even if this is not
possible there are no limitations. As wood products
are in essence stored solar energy they can always
be used for green clean energy production (releasing
only the CO² absorbed during growth) thus saving
emissions caused by burning oil, gas or coal.
100% RECYCLABLE
- accoya wood is fully reusable and
recyclable
- non-toxic and 100% biodegradable
- waste wood gets high quality
second life
10. 10
As outlined in the previous
pages, in every stage of the
life cycle Accoya provides
compelling environmental
advantages. As we value
transparency at Accsys, all
claims about sustainability
are always referenced to
recognised standards.
Therefore, the environmental
performance of Accoya® is
thoroughly tested and published
following uncompromising
leading independent international
methodologies such as Life Cycle
Analysis (LCA following ISO
14040/44) and Environmental
Product Declarations (EPD following
ISO 14025). For example, official
LCA / carbon footprint studies by
Delft University of Technology and
environmental consultancy Verco
show that Accoya® wood is an
environmentally compatible – and
even carbon negative - substitute
for many traditional carbon intensive
materials such as plastics, metals and
concrete, as well as for various wood
species.
Furthermore, we actively seek
to acquire the most respected
ecolabels available and have been
recognized by others as an exemplary
product and company in the field of
sustainability on many occasions.
As a result, more and more leading
leading architects and builders are
adopting Accoya® Tricoya® as
high performance substitutes for
non-renewable materials in several
challenging projects worldwide
where application of wood before
was never thought as being possible.
This shows that our promise towards
a fully biobased circular economy
posed in the introduction is not just
imagination, it is becoming a reality.
PROVEN GREEN
PERFORMANCE
Cradle to Cradle Gold
Accoya® wood is one of the very few building products
to have acquired Cradle to Cradle Certification at the
stringent Gold level. Cradle to Cradle (C2C) provides a
means to tangibly and credibly measure achievement
in environmentally-intelligent design including the
use of environmentally safe and healthy materials and
instituting strategies for social responsibility.
FSC® and PEFC™
Of the various schemes for sustainable forestry
available, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®)
and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
Certification (PEFC™) are regarded as the leading and
most comprehensive certification programs available.
Both programs not only focus on benign environmental
performance but also safeguard social interests for
all stakeholders involved. Accoya® and Tricoya® are
available in both FSC® and PEFC™.
BREEAM and LEED
Of the many green building certification schemes
available worldwide, BREEAM (mainly used in Europe)
and LEED (mainly used in North America) are most
widely adopted and recognised. Both are based on
various building related environmental indicators
including sustainable energy, -water and –material use.
For the latter category the application of Accoya can
contribute to several credits in both schemes, including
certified wood and material health through the C2C
gold certification (LEED v4).
The Future Build
The Future Build is a green building materials portal
that helps architects, engineers and contractors
confidently select and source environmentally
sustainable, third party certified products. Only
products that have been assessed and selected
according to stringent standards and criteria set by
the carbon neutral Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, are listed.
Accoya® wood was rated as Excellent or A.
Singapore Green Label
For the South East Asian market we have attained
the highly regarded Green Label of the Singapore
Environment Council (SEC), which was set up to
promote environmental awareness in this region. The
‘Green Label’ can only be obtained by compliance with
the strict eco standards specified by the SEC’s scheme
and rigourous testing of the product for possible
harmful content.
Dubokeur
As one of the leading green labels in the Netherlands,
Dubokeur certificates are only granted to the most
environmentally friendly products, based on LCA
methodology.
PEFC/30-31-040
WWW.PEFC.ORG
11. 11
WOOD WITHOUT
COMPROMISE
THE HAVEN
decking, cladding
glulam beams
united kingdom
OAKLEIGH
CHURCH
windows
usa
TERRACED
HOUSES
windows doors
the netherlands
WINDMILL
unlimited solutions
israel
OVO SCULPTURE
unlimited solutions
turkey
SNEEK BRIDGE
structural applications
the netherlands