Overview of 2011
All products manufactured at all sites by Ibstock are now accredited to BES 6001 “Very Good” status for the responsible sourcing of construction materials.
2011 saw an increase in demand for product over and above 2010 levels but we are still running our kilns below
optimum efficiency levels.
Our continual strive for greater energy efficiency resulted in an improvement in primary energy per tonne of
product and a reduction in CO2 per tonne of product averaged across the company.
Many of the data in this report will have to be read alongside this caveat, as was the case in previous years since the
recession began. In future years when we return to more normal output levels our Carbon Dioxide emissions and
other acid gases will show an increase, however, we will be using our energy much more efficiently at higher
outputs.
We wish to continue to invest in our facilities to increase our efficiency, use less energy and create even less waste
than the very small quantities that currently arise. However, the lack of clarity in UK energy policy which is a
mixture of European measures transposed from Brussels and UK based measures such as the Climate Change Levy
together with proposals from the EU to directly interfere in the market to boost the price of CO2 presents us with an
unclear picture against which to plan major investments.
We continue to be concerned with other developments such as the recommendation from the Climate Change
Committee (CCC) to promote the use of timber in construction without the support of substantial factual
information which gives a clear picture of the total environmental impact of building materials throughout the
anticipated life-expectancy. Despite submissions to the Government containing established and verified
information to counter this position our details seem to have been totally ignored without comment.
We continue to be unable to fully fund many of the environmental projects that do not give a direct return on
investment whilst our focus remains firmly on energy usage which is a significant cost to the business. Such
energy projects simultaneously address many of the future CO2 issues (see above).
To view or download the full Ibstock Environmental Report 2011 click here.
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