As part of the Genuit Group, Polypipe Building Products are committed to verified Science Based Targets and achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
At Polypipe Building Products, we are living this ethos in our products and process. We are committed to helping developers, specifiers and contractors alike, lead the way in sustainable construction.
Everything from our manufacturing processes through to our product ranges is designed to support low-carbon building strategies, improve energy efficiency, and meet evolving environmental standards - without compromising on performance or compliance.
Whether you're starting a new development or specifying for residential or public sector projects, our solutions help you deliver long-term value and environmental responsibility.
Decarbonising our Operations
This includes a long-term trial using bio-diesel, which generates up to 90% less Greenhouse Gas emissions than standard diesel, across a significant proportion of our 100-vehicle delivery fleet. Furthermore, we leverage advanced data analytics to optimise route planning and eliminate unnecessary mileage.
Within our internal operations, we have transitioned our warehouse and distribution fleet to next-generation electric forklift trucks. For our company vehicles, we have shifted to an entirely electric or hybrid-only model, supported by dedicated charging infrastructure across all our manufacturing sites.
Sustainable Manufacturing & Innovation
We have comprehensively addressed energy and resource consumption across our manufacturing processes. All three of our Doncaster sites now run exclusively on renewable energy. Furthermore, we prioritise water conservation: the water for our extrusion line cooling baths is sourced from on-site boreholes and is returned via a soakaway for natural reuse.
Our commitment to carbon reduction drives our new product development. We invest significant amounts in research and development and materials science, focusing on two key areas: incorporating recycled material (or recyclate) into our products and actively searching for suitable biopolymers. This dedication is also reflected in recent capital expenditure, such as the upgrade of our moulding machinery from hydraulic to electric systems, which is already yielding considerable energy and carbon savings.
Sustainable Packaging Commitments
We have implemented a significant change to our plastic packaging, which now features a minimum of 50% recycled content. This is an industry-leading percentage. Our technical analysis shows that exceeding this level would compromise the integrity of the packaging, potentially making it too brittle and jeopardising the quality of the products it protects.
Collaboration and the Circular Economy
We are actively collaborating with partners across the construction industry to advance recycling initiatives and bolster the circular economy.
A key initiative is our plastic recycling programme, embarked upon with National Merchant Wolseley Plumb Centre. This programme strategically identifies sources of waste plastic within our supply chain and directs them to the Polypipe Building Products Environmental Management Area for sorting and recycling. In its inaugural year, the scheme successfully diverted 2.8 tonnes of plastic from landfill, equating to a carbon saving of 3.2 tonnes. This reduction is comparable to a return flight from Leeds to Las Vegas.
The programme has since launched collection points in Plumb Centre branches nationwide, providing a straightforward way for everyday plumbers to save and deposit plastic waste generated during their work, enabling wider industry participation in the environmental agenda.