Xella reduces its carbon footprint by 35% and publishes its new FDES

Reducing its carbon footprint in the construction industry, preserving resources and developing sustainable solutions are the major challenges in the Xella group's environmental strategy. In terms of low-carbon construction, Xella cellular concrete is unique both in terms of its intrinsic thermal and mechanical qualities and its manufacturing process.

Recyclable and energy efficient, it enables sustainable construction and contributes to the energy efficiency of buildings. The publication of the new Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets (FDES) with INIES for Xella products highlights the efforts made by the group to reduce its carbon footprint. To date, Xella is among the first manufacturers to benefit from the new FDES since the publication of the national supplement to the standard with the obligation to use amendment A2.

For Arnaud PORTE, Technical and Development Director of Xella France: «We are proud to reach this important milestone in our environmental approach. Having already reduced our carbon impact by 21% between 2017 and 2021, the reduction of our carbon footprint by 35% is the result of our collective efforts and our determination to adopt more sustainable practices. However, it doesn't stop there. We remain firmly committed to exploring new ways to minimize our impact on the environment and innovating for a greener future. »

A strong environmental commitment, verified and certified by the FDES

Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets (FDES) provide essential information on construction and decoration products placed on the market. Verified and regulated by the NF EN 15804+A2 standard and its national supplement NF EN 15804/CN, environmental declarations make it possible to assess the environmental and health impact of a product by taking into account its entire life cycle. : from the extraction of raw materials to its end of life, transport, implementation on construction sites and use of the product. Made available to construction professionals, the FDES help guide them in their choice so that they can build sustainable buildings, healthier for the occupants and with a minimum impact on nature.

Because environmental performance is the major regulatory development of RE 2020, which introduces the calculation of the impacts of the building during its entire life cycle*, the FDES are today essential within the framework of this regulation.

As a player engaged in the field of structural work and interior design, Xella works to limit the impact of its products and activities on the environment. For many years, the company has been investing in more respectful production and a circular economy. It strives to preserve resources by reducing their consumption and sourcing locally. Thus nearly 25% of the raw materials used are of recycled origin and come from production waste. Xella improves the energy efficiency of its factories by modernizing them. Its production processes are energy efficient compared to those of other construction materials.

Thanks to these ongoing initiatives, Xella has been able to reduce CO emissions₂ on average by 35% across all of its ranges of cellular concrete blocks (between -28% and -45% depending on the product).

With these new updated FDES, cellular concrete is positioned as a certain alternative in terms of low-carbon construction and responding to RE2020. This is only a step because Xella intends to continue its environmental commitment in this dynamic.

* source : https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/guide_re2020_version_janvier_2024.pdf