Building sustainability into the manufacturing process

It hardly needs stating at this point, but sustainability in construction is no longer an aspiration – it’s an expectation. 

Proof of that can be found in last year’s Sustainable Futures Report from built-environment platform NBS, developed in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The report found that 70% of UK construction projects now have sustainability targets, while 64% of industry professionals have been involved in net-zero projects over the past year – a significant rise from 49% in 2022.

The built environment is increasingly seen as playing a vital, central role in reducing carbon emissions and improving resource efficiency. But achieving sustainability goals demands more than simply designing lower carbon buildings, using materials that draw less on the Earth’s natural resources. It requires looking deep into the supply chain and working with manufacturers that embed serious sustainability into day-to-day operations. That is where real, measurable carbon efficiencies can be made. 

Manufacturers supplying doorsets, windows, flooring and other essential elements of a building are increasingly shaping that building’s environmental impact, long before breaking ground. This is particularly true in the relationship between tier 1 contractors and specialist tier 2 manufacturers and suppliers. Close collaboration between these is how true sustainability can be achieved. 

Beyond compliance

Regulatory pressure is driving some sustainability across the construction sector, but compliance alone will not be enough to achieve net-zero ambitions. In fact, in the NBS/RIBA report, 37% of recipients stated that a lack of Government policy was a key reason for the avoidance of sustainable practices.

True progress requires collaboration between specifiers, contractors and manufacturers that are proactive about reducing emissions at every stage of production. Many manufacturers are now looking far beyond meeting minimum regulatory standards and are instead actively redesigning their processes to cut emissions, reduce waste and improve circularity. The emphasis is shifting towards creating products that not only meet performance requirements, but also contribute to a lower carbon footprint for the buildings they form part of.

For tier 1 contractors and specifiers, this means sustainability can no longer be an afterthought. It must be built into procurement decisions. This isn’t always easy – particularly in projects with intense cost pressures – but failing to engage with sustainability-minded tier 2 suppliers risks undermining the ESG goals that developers are working towards.

Practical steps towards a lower carbon footprint

Manufacturers can make a tangible difference by embedding sustainability into their processes, from material sourcing to energy consumption. Some of the most effective strategies include investing in renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-powered equipment, and improving waste management to support circularity.

At JELD-WEN’s Penrith site, for example, we’ve focused on improving energy efficiency through initiatives such as replacing fixed-speed compressors with variable-speed alternatives and installing LED lighting with motion sensors. We’ve also transitioned our forklift fleet to electric, reducing our Scope 1 emissions significantly, with further reductions planned through additional electrification.

We’ve achieved zero waste being sent to landfill, using waste separation and recycling improvements meaning that materials such as plastic wrapping are properly processed.

Our initiatives also include the use of biomass boilers, powered by wood-chip waste from timber which is sustainably sourced and certified to PEFC or FSC standards. By ensuring all timber is certified sustainable we guarantee the biomass remains truly renewable, as uncertified wood use risks releasing stored CO2 without the carbon recapture achieved through replanting. This aligns with our 2050 ESG goals of providing renewable energy while ensuring that by-products are repurposed rather than discarded. 

We’ve moved to 100% renewable energy to power our operations, reducing our overall carbon footprint. To support worker safety while maintaining efficiency, we’ve introduced AI-driven safety systems that protect workers from moving vehicles and potential hazards – thereby allowing us to upgrade existing machinery safely, rather than replacing it unnecessarily.

We’re proud of our sustainability efforts, but we also know we’re not alone in initiating them. JELD-WEN is one of many manufacturers striving to enable sustainable building design - long before those buildings even exist. 

Sustainability as standard

The conversation around sustainability in construction has evolved from ‘why?’ to ‘how?’. With targets becoming more ambitious and regulatory frameworks tightening, the industry is moving beyond token gestures and into meaningful, long-term change. This shift isn’t happening rapidly, but it is steady and ongoing. It’s a change that demands a new mindset from all involved – one that sees sustainability as a standard practice, not an optional extra.

Manufacturers have a responsibility to lead by example, demonstrating how sustainable processes can be embedded into production without compromising on quality or performance. But for this to have a real impact, developers, architects and contractors must also be willing to prioritise sustainability in procurement strategies.

By building stronger relationships between tier 1 contractors and tier 2 manufacturers that are committed to supporting a better future, the industry can ensure that sustainability is embedded throughout the supply chain. 

As more projects strive to meet net zero goals, those who choose to work with manufacturers committed to sustainability will find themselves ahead of the curve. The future of construction lies in sustainable building design– but this will only be achieved if we all join forces to build it that way.