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Altro are committed to ensuring the sustainability of all our products: from the sourcing of materials, the energy used in our manufacturing process at our sites in the UK and Germany right through to the end production process and how we wrap and distribute our products. Altro review every step of the process from the mileage used in delivering materials through to the type of paper we print on.
We work with our innovative development teams to look at the wellbeing of our end users and the comfort and sustainability of products, the installation environments and internal spaces, reducing or removing non-sustainable products and improving the physical and emotional impact our products will have.
In addition Altro also look for possible ways to be fully sustainable within our global sites and typical examples are adhesive-free flooring, ergonomic and movement-sensitive lighting, reducing the take-away waste in our on-site restaurants and the recycling of product sample cards. We regularly listen to our customers by hosting Voice Of The Customer visits and act upon feedback on how we can better our products and services.
Altro have been at the forefront of innovation for 100 years. Today, working closely with architects, end customers, engineers, designers and contractors around the world, our insight and expertise help them transform everyday spaces into environments that improve the wellbeing of everyone that uses them.
As a family-owned business, we've always taken our environmental responsibilities very seriously. To us, sustainability is about so much more than just environmental issues. It covers social and economic dimensions as well as environmental responsibility, something that's known as the three pillars of sustainability or 'the Triple Bottom Line'.
So while we actively reduce the impact we have on the environment and operate in a socially responsible manner, we're providing long-term, sustainable, safe and hygienic solutions too.
"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs", that's how the Brundtland Report from World Commission on Environment and Development 1987, described sustainability.
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
To demonstrate our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our sustainability actions, we are working towards key targets by 2030. These are:
For all our facilities, becoming carbon neutral for scope 1 and 2*, by 2030 through a combination of increased efficiencies, renewable energy and carbon offsets.
By 2030, to be best in CSR and through the Altro Foundation bettering the lives of 50,000 vulnerable individuals.
By 2030 we offer circular economy solutions and all our floor and wall product ranges are available in adhesive-free
Achieving 30% recycled and bio-sourced content in our product portfolio by 2030
*Footnote:
Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from company-owned and controlled resources. In other words, emissions released to the atmosphere as a direct result of a set of activities, at a firm level. It is divided into four categories: stationary combustion (e.g fuels, heating sources). All fuels that produce GHG emissions must be included in scope 1.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, from a utility provider. In other words, all GHG emissions released in the atmosphere, from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling.
When looking at sourcing and purchasing our materials Altro always consider environmental commitment and the quality of ingredients.
We only:
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
We are committed to sourcing our raw materials sustainably and considering how we secure for the future other critical supply chains too. This will ensure a future-proof, sustainable supply of high-quality materials.
Altro’s manufacturing processes ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and focus on environmental well-being too. We continually look at how we can reduce our carbon footprint reviewing renewable material sources, product performance and end of life disposal.
Our plant in Dessau, Germany is compliant to ISO 50001 for energy management and there are plans to achieve this standard at our UK site in the near future
Altro floors and walls have undergone rigorous external VOC testing. Our floors are compliant with national and international indoor air quality schemes including:
*Footnote:
VOCs are volatile organic compounds that are released into the atmosphere by some substances and products. It is thought that exposure to VOCs can cause problems like sick building syndrome, diminished learning in schools, and reduced productivity in offices. VOCs are typically five times more concentrated indoors than outdoors.
Altro invented safety flooring and hygienic wall cladding and have led the market ever since. We are committed to developing sustainable revolutionary products, such as our award-winning, sustainable range of adhesive-free flooring, which was invented 10 years ago. This revolutionary product requires no damp proof membrane and no adhesives. It reduces time, saves costs and minimises waste from first use and through subsequent refurbishments. If still in good condition, the floor can be re-used or recycled at the end of its life.
For more specialist environments we work with industry experts to develop solutions that can enhance physical and emotional wellbeing. We have collaborated with associations including Care England, Design in Mental Health and the University of Stirling’s renowned Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) to develop total solutions for the mental health sector, specifically designing for dementia.
Altro are members of the Dementia Action Alliance and have DSDC accreditation on some product ranges.
Recommended supplier for ProCure22 Standard Components – Category Group – Flooring and Walls
*Footnote:
Procure 22 (P22) is a Construction Procurement Framework administrated by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for the development and delivery of NHS and Social Care capital schemes in England. The Framework is designed to achieve improved value for money, reduced exposure to risk and a simplified procurement process.
(based on DEFRA official factor tables and reported by ACM)
We reduce our carbon footprint by:
Energy efficiency is a key factor in our manufacturing process and product development.
At our manufacturing base in Germany:
“I’m not running for sainthood. I just happen to think that in life we need to be a little like the farmer, who puts back into the soil what he takes out.”
Sustainability drives the choices we make. We are passionate about supporting the circular economy model.
** (based on DEFRA official factor tables and reported by ACM)
Altro utilise local recycling opportunities internationally. These include:
Altro are co-founder members of Recofloor tthe industry's vinyl take back scheme which collects safety and smooth vinyl off cuts and uplifted smooth vinyl, diverting them from landfill.
Altro partnered with VEKA Recycling to set up the UK's first wall cladding recycling scheme, Recowall, which is unique in the PVCu wall cladding sector. Altro place bins at Altro Whiterock Premier Installer sites around the UK, where contractors can deposit clean, adhesive-free off cuts and thermoformed corners from site.
Business and product certification
EPD’s contribute to BREEAM and LEED V4 points
BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbishment.
“Surely we have a responsibility to leave for future generations a planet that is healthy and habitable by all species.”
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a tool used to assess the environmental impact of buildings in the construction industry.
Altro products contribute to BREEAM credits in the following ways:
All Altro flooring products achieve generic A+ ratings in the major application areas of Health and Education.
(Includes Altro Walkway 20, Altro Reliance 25, Altro Classic 25, Altro Atlas 40, Altro Stronghold 30, Altro Suprema, Altro Aquarius, Altro Pisces, Altro Marine 20, Altro ContraX, Altro Impressionist II, Altro Wood , Altro XpressLay)
(Includes Altro Orchestra, Altro Operetta, Altro Serenade, Altro Cantata and Altro Zodiac)
| Building Application | Element Number | Generic Green Guide Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Health | 821570055 | A+ |
| Education | 921570010 | A+ |
| Commercial | 821570043 | A+ |
| Retail | 821570055 | A/A+ |
| Building Application | Element Number | Generic Green Guide Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Health | 821570039 | A+ |
| Education | 821570066 | A+ |
| Commercial | 821570039 | A |
| Retail | 821570039 | A/A+ |
Individual Environmental Product Declarations are available for all safety and smooth flooring products and wall sheet products here.
Table 9.8 EPD points for different types of EPD
| Recognised types of EPD | Validity | EPD points |
|---|---|---|
| EPD applicable to more than one product in the same product category and more than one manufacturer |
|
0.5 |
| EPD applicable to more than one product in the same category and a single manufacturer | 0.75 | |
| EPD applicable to a single product* and a single manufacturer(the product may be manufactured in more than one location)*Or variations of a single product that only differ in terms of colour or pattern | 1.5 |
Our ISO 14025 compliant EPDs contribute up to 1.5 points under Mat 02.
Our ISO 14025 compliant EPDs contribute up to 1.5 points under Mat 02.
Altro flooring, wall sheet and adhesives are compliant to the requirements of the following sections of BREEAM 2018:
Emission criteria by product type - 1 credit BREEAM 2018 Table 5.11
|
Emission limit*
|
Testing requirement | Additional requirements | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) | Category 1A and 1B carcinogens | ||
| Flooring materials (including flooring levelling compounds and resin flooring) | ||||
| ≤0.06
mg/m3 |
≤ 1.0 mg/m3> | ≤ 0.001 mg/m3> | ISO 10580/ ISO 16000-9 / ISO 16516 | N/A |
| Ceiling, wall, acoustic and thermal insulation materials | ||||
| ≤ 0.06 mg/m3 | ≤ 1.0 mg/m3 | ≤ 0.001 mg/m3 | ISO 16000-9 / EN 16516 / CDPH Standard Method v1.1 | N/A |
Emission criteria by product type - 1 credit Exemplary Level BREEAM 2018 Table 5.12
| Emission limit* | Testing requirement | Additional requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) | Total semi-volatile organic compounds (TSVOC) | Category 1A and 1B carcinogens | ||
| Flooring materials (including flooring levelling compounds and resin flooring) | |||||
| ≤0.01 mg/m3 | ≤ 0.3 mg/m3> | ≤ 0.1 mg/m3> | ≤ 0.001 mg/m3> | ISO 10580/ ISO 16000-9 / ISO 16516 / CDPH Standard Method v1.1 | N/A |
| Ceiling, wall, acoustic and thermal insulation materials | |||||
| ≤ 0.01 mg/m3 | ≤ 0.3 mg/m3 | ≤ 0.1 mg/m3 | ≤ 0.001 mg/m3 | ISO 10580/ ISO 16000-9 / ISO 16516 / CDPH Standard Method v1.1 | N/A |
All Altro safety flooring, smooth flooring and modular flooring (LVT) comply with the requirements of HEA 02 under BREEAM 2018.
For compliance to these BREEAM credits, floor coverings should satisfy the limits for formaldehyde, TVOC and category 1A and 1B carcinogens. For exemplary level credits they should also satisfy the limits for TSVOC.
Compliance is as follows
All Altro Whiterock and Altro Fortis Titanium wall sheet products comply with the requirements of HEA 02 under BREEAM 2018.
For compliance to these BREEAM credits, wall coverings should satisfy the limits for formaldehyde, TVOC and category 1A ad 1B carcinogens. For exemplary level credits they should also satisfy the limits for TSVOC.
Altro Whiterock and Altro Fortis Titanium products are rigid un-plasticised PVC sheets and both comply with the requirements of these standards as detailed below.
Compliance is as follows:
Altro only source materials from companies with ISO 14001:2015 certification or from those which have demonstrated commitment to the environment.
ISO 14001:2015 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS). It provides a framework that an organisation can follow, rather than establishing environmental performance requirements.
Altro have ISO 9001:2015 certification which specifies requirements for a quality management system.
“We deserve a safe future. And we demand a safe future. Is that really too much to ask?”
We trust our associations to keep us up-to-date on important industry trends, new legislative rulings, and advances in technology. This creates better, and therefore more environmentally-friendly, standards for our industry. To reduce the negative impact of internal and external processes on the environment we are members of or associated with:
Altro’s company philosophy is to keep our manufacturing base in Europe, in the UK and Germany, creating national employment opportunities and supporting our local economies as well.
Altro are an international employer creating employment in the UK, Germany, USA, China, Japan, Australia, Canada, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, France and Poland.
“The natural environment sustains the life of all beings universally.”
Altro value all our international employees and are committed to ensuring they have access to an extensive support network in the work place, including our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and dignity at work coaches.
All employees attend workshops in employee wellbeing with subjects including Zero Harm and Modern Slavery Employees are provided with opportunities to be involved in a variety of social events, community and health-related activities across the group.
Altro employees are all given one day each year to spend on volunteering either with the Altro Foundation, with local partners or with a healthcare charity of their choice
Policies are available on:
At Altro we are committed to engaging with and supporting our global, local communities in lots of different ways to make a positive difference and improve dialogue and neighbourly relationships.
Established in 2016, the Altro Foundation is dedicated to transforming healthcare spaces to help the more vulnerable communities around the world. A percentage of our profits are invested into the Foundation every year to help transform healthcare spaces across the world and improve the wellbeing of the people who use them.
Altro have a long history of partnering with our customers on training, new product development, technical support. and are passionate about sharing knowledge and expertise. We operate global training programs for partners and craftsmen offering training on safety flooring, resins and Altro wall systems. In 2020 we held 48 training schools, providing 397 contractors with new and refreshed skills.
Our in-house and on-site training will show you the correct way to install our products helping to reduce product waste, improve cleaning techniques and overall reduce the negative impact of internal and external processes on the environment.
Our innovation and product development result in award-winning products and we are proud to demonstrate and share our experience and knowledge.
We continually invest in new technology, spend many years developing our products in the lab and in the field to ensure performance, hold ongoing in-house training for our manufacturing operatives to promote quality of manufacture and are closely involved in developing slip resistance test methods.
Altro’s resin floors and walls sustainability policy seeks to optimise our performance with respect to the planet’s resources.
