Environmental Responsibility at Halton
At Halton, the major environmental impacts arise from the materials we use, the energy we consume in our production, and the energy our products consume during the life cycle of products. Greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production of purchased energy are essential factors, as is that from the fuel we use in company vehicles. Over the past few years, we have focused on keeping production emissions as low as possible. We have invested significantly in production facilities’ energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
In 2023, Halton’s Malaysia and Rochester (UK) facilities significantly reduced their Scope 2 (purchased electricity) emissions by implementing new solar power plants at both sites. The solar investment in Malaysia generated around 69,310 kWh of electricity, reducing at least 50 tonnes of CO2 emissions. In Rochester, the installed solar panels produced approximately 19,000 kWh of electricity in 2023, further contributing to Halton’s CO2 footprint reduction.
New sustainable technologies
Our main environmental contribution comes from our sustainable solutions and new technologies that we can provide to our customers. A notable sustainability achievement in 2023 was the conception of a pioneering solution for the commercial real estate sector. The solution, termed TTAP (Terminal Treatment of Air), materialised from Halton’s strategic licensing alliance with Phononic. In December 2023, the inauguration of the first-of-its-kind commercial deployment of TTAP for Peltier, implemented in a historic building in the core of Paris, represents the world’s most extensive solid-state HVAC platform, substantially curtailing greenhouse gas emissions while concurrently enhancing workplace comfort. This cutting-edge technology reduces carbon emissions by approximately 15% and cost savings by 18% compared to traditional systems, thereby instilling confidence in its financial implications.
Read more about our technologies here.
Advancing sustainability through EPD documentation
Over the course of 2023, we maintained an unwavering dedication to sustainability by diligently preparing Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) documentation for our product line. This documentation adheres to European standard EN 15804, with the initial EPDs released in the spring of 2023. Through the application of product life cycle analysis, we are able to pinpoint areas for development, thereby facilitating a reduction in the environmental footprint of our products throughout their life cycles, from production to utilisation. Notably, life cycle assessment (LCA) underpins our research and development efforts, directing focus towards areas where we can have the most substantial beneficial influence on our customers’ sustainability objectives.
Read more about our first EPDs.
Used materials each year
Halton provides solutions for commercial and public premises, healthcare institutions and laboratories, professional kitchens, restaurants, energy production environments, and marine vessels. Most of the production materials used are stainless and galvanised steel, aluminium and wood. Galvanised steel is the most commonly used material for SBA Halton’s products, whereas SBA Foodservice and SBA Marine, Energy & Infrastructure mainly use stainless steel. Wood is used for packaging in all Halton factories. The most significant quantities of aluminium are used at SBA Halton’s factory in France for exhaust grilles.
Read more about our material purchases from our Sustainability Report.
The waste amount each year
At Halton, we’re committed to reducing waste, particularly the process waste from shaping steel sheets to make products. Our focus on this cutting waste has not only led to more efficient processes but also less waste overall. It is important to note that the amount of process waste varies annually based on the products delivered to customers, but our commitment to waste reduction remains steadfast.
Recycling is a common practice in our daily work. Steel waste is sold to recycling companies. These companies sort it and forward it to steel mills to make new material. In 2023, from the total amount of waste 91.37 per cent was recovered, 0.53 per cent reused and 7.37 per cent taken to landfill.
Read more about our waste management from our Sustainability Report.
The used and produced energy each year
Our energy management in 2023 was marked by a balance between consumption and production. During the year all our units purchased a total amount of 8,934 MWh of electricity, 6,637 MWh of heat and 19,023 MWh of fuel. Of the total amount of purchased electricity, 51 per cent was renewable, 10 per cent was non-renewable, and 39 per cent was based on nuclear power.
In the same year we produced 145,621 KWh of electricity with solar energy. Of this, 105,202 kWh (72 per cent) was consumed for our own use, and the remaining 40,419 KWh (28 per cent) we delivered to the local electricity grid.
Read more about our energy management from our Sustainability Report.
Halton Group CO2 emissions, scope 1, 2 and 3
In 2023, Halton’s total scope 1 and scope 2 CO2 emissions were 6,329 tonnes. Of this total, 503 tonnes came from electricity, 719 tonnes from heating and 5,107 tonnes from fuel. The most significant emissions from Halton’s operations are currently caused by car fuel. In 2022, Nelbud Services LLC, a maintenance service company, became a member of the Halton Group for the first full year. The fuel consumption of cars in the service business has significantly increased emissions. Increased sales activities and the growth of the service business after the severe COVID-19 pandemic have also contributed to the rise in car fuel consumption. Despite this, in 2023, relative to revenue, scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased to 21.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions per million euros of turnover (compared to 26.3 tonnes of CO2 emissions per million euros of turnover in 2022).
Regarding scope 3 emissions in 2023, our air travel emissions amounted to 342 tonnes (compared to 143 tonnes in 2022). We observed an increase in business travel compared to the previous year, indicating a return to pre-COVID travel patterns and business growth.
Read more about our emission management from our Sustainability Report.