Managing director Phil Atkinson of County Durham’s BTS Facades and Fabrications reveals what it was like working with Blue Marble to secure Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its products

What does BTS Facades and Fabrications manufacture?

Essentially, we produce the metal you may see on the side of buildings – from high-rise residential accommodation to office blocks and retail outlets. We don’t just manufacture these goods for new projects; we get many jobs for ‘makeovers’ of old buildings undergoing gentrification. We’re able to give shabby buildings a sleek modern look, without having to knock the whole thing down.

How have Blue Marble’s consultancy services helped you?

In a number of ways, including by facilitating the verified scheme we use to offset our carbon, and by helping us secure environmental product declarations (EPDs) on our products. For example you can read how Blue Marble helped us gain an EPD on the Vantage® Discreet Fix Rainscreen System by BTS Facades & Fabrications. The whole team are incredibly supportive and proactive; they’re a dream to work with.

Why is being carbon neutral important?

We want to be a responsible business – it’s just the right thing to do. We have achieved carbon neutrality by offsetting our carbon through a verified scheme, and have held our certificate for around one year. We’d love to be carbon neutral without having to offset our carbon, and we’re doing everything we can to achieve this – but most of our carbon footprint is due to our supply chain. As such, we’re collaborating with those businesses to try to reduce this, but it’s a work in progress. In the meantime, we’re working towards net zero, which we’re looking to achieve by 2030.

What carbon offsetting projects have you invested in?

Right now, we’re investing in a wind farm in Turkey. We’d like to look at more schemes in England in the coming months.

How do you feel about securing EPDs on your products and finding verified ways to offset your carbon?

We’re so proud! For a manufacturing business to achieve what we have is pretty phenomenal. It was never going to be easy, but we were determined to do the right thing and listen to our architect clients. We’re proud to be leading the way in the construction and manufacturing industry.

There’s a long way to go on our shared journey to net zero, but the strategy is taking effect and every business is now involved.

If you’d like our help with your business’ journey, get in touch here.