Cupa Pizarras, the only roofing company to achieve carbon neutrality, aims to further reduce its emissions in 2021

Its approach to combating global warming has been recognized by the international organization Carbon Trust, a partner of economic players and governments, which relies on a team of more than 200 experts. The Spanish group, established in Rennes for 30 years, offsets its emissions through reforestation projects and aims for a further overall reduction of 5% in 2021. At the same time, it is working to develop new uses of slate by capitalizing on the ability of shale to capture heat to transform it into clean energy.

Slate, the most ecological roofing material on the market

Hand-split in the Spanish quarries, Cupa Pizarras natural slate is a totally inert material: it does not undergo any chemical modification during its transformation. It is also distinguished by its longevity of 100 years which makes it the most durable roofing material.

In addition, according to data published since 2014 and updated annually by INIES, the national reference base on environmental and health characteristics for buildings, slate stands out as the most ecological solution compared to fibers. -cement, zinc and terracotta, based on criteria linked to water, energy and atmospheric pollution consumption.

To maximize the potential of its slate, Cupa Pizarras has implemented a policy that aims to limit the impact of production on the environment: recycling water through closed circuits, rehabilitation of quarries while preserving topsoil. and by introducing seeds of local plants to reduce the visual impact, sea transport to transport 60% of orders to distributors ...

Erwan Galard, Marketing Manager at Cupa Pizarras explains: “We are proud to be able to cultivate the traditional dimension of slate: a natural, ecological and sustainable material. Our entire environmental policy has been designed as a showcase to showcase our product. The latter comes from the land and if we want to preserve our know-how, we must find a balance between production and protection of resources. While we have already achieved carbon neutrality, we would like to continue the effort. This is why we are committed to a further 5% reduction in our emissions in 2021. ”

New uses of slate which make it possible to support architecture towards
energy efficiency

Each year, Cupa Pizarras extracts 190 tonnes of shale from its 000 quarries located in Spain. The world leader exports its production to 16 countries including France, the leading international market. Beyond its traditional use in roofing, Cupa Pizarras slate is now geared towards energy efficiency.

Through its Cupaclad ventilated facade systems, slate adapts to the requirements of thermal insulation from the outside (EIT). Fixing the slates (visibly or not) to horizontal profiles creates an air space between the load-bearing wall and the covering. The “chimney effect” created in this intermediate space guarantees the thermal comfort of buildings: refrigeration in summer and control of thermal dispersion in winter.

In addition, since 2014, its engineers have been developing a slate thermal solar panel which has the Technical Assessment from CSTB (Scientific and Technical Center for Building) and enables the production of domestic hot water. In France, more than a hundred roofs are now equipped with this system, also available in a version dedicated to the terrace.