Working as a trusted partner with customers and suppliers to deliver our ESG ambitions has ensured it is a key strategic initiative for H+H.
In the 75 years H+H Ltd has been established in the UK, our commitment to using recycled materials in the production process has established us as a manufacturer committed to sustainable initiatives and the production of product with recognisable eco-friendly credentials.
Having won awards for our Green initiatives at a time when this was a burgeoning idea in the construction industry, H+H UK received the Carbon Trust Award in 2008 along with other significant Green awards, providing the launchpad for our current carbon reduction initiatives and the drive towards 2030.
In 2019 we began actively tracking the changes we are making to reduce carbon emissions and are pleased that extremely good progress is being made. As 80% of our Scope 3 emissions come from raw materials, we work very closely with our suppliers in an effort to support them, thereby supporting our own 2030 ambitions. Having upgraded our Borough Green factory in 2018, making it the most efficient Aircrete factory in Europe,we haven’t rested on our laurels. 2024 has seen more capital investment from which we are able to deliver future ESG targets, allowing H+H Aircrete to continue as the wall product of choice for Housebuilders, due to its structural, thermal and sustainable credentials.
Our UK Roadmap details our goal to reduce by 50% our emissions intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2030. Information from the roadmap is reproduced here, along with many other ESG commitments and initiatives currently taking place at H+H, showing how successful we have already been with Scopes 1 and 2 and how committed we are to reducing Scope 3, throughout our supply chain.
Calum
Forsyth, Managing Director H+H UK
Zero Harm Initiative
HSE is a core principle of our business enabling everyone to work in a healthy and safe environment, to embrace the core principle to achieve our ambition of ZERO accidents at work and building a workplace free of harm
As part of the Onboarding programme, each new staff member is given an in depth induction solely based on the principles of ZERO HARM, personal safety and Health & Wellbeing.
Each month the Executive Team visit one of the UK factories to review and discuss with staff their H&S observations, provide practical support and receive updates from current works being undertaken.
By doing this it supports and promotes our HSE vision of:
ZERO HARM to
PEOPLE, PLANT and the PLANET when
at work
Our beliefs
Every accident/incident at work is PREVENTABLE ZERO HARM is achievable
Staff Health & Wellbeing
H+H UK have a meticulous view on how we care for staff. This is undertaken from both a physical understanding of Health & Safety at work, with First Aider /Catastrophic Bleed First Aiders, and Mental Health First Aiders.
First Aiders are recognised by a Green Safety Helmet and a dedicated Lanyard, indicating their certification and availability In addition 17 Mental Health First Aiders who are trained to support colleagues and are available to discuss concerns. They are recognised by a Lanyard specifically created for the H+H Mental Health First Aid Team Around the company there are many areas where information on Mental Health Awareness and action can be seen and Mental Health Awareness Week is supported and staff activities actively encouraged.
The UK has long been proud of its retention figures, with many having worked for H+H in excess of 20 years
No. of employees
Over 25% of staff have been with the company for more than 20 years
Gender Pay Gap (2023)
In the UK, for every £1.00 a male employee earns, a female employee earns £0.93. Figures are expected to improve for 2024 as more females have joined the organisation in manufacturing and engineering roles. H+H
16.5% are female
across all three production and two office sites in 2023
H+H UK Ltd Executive Team
UK Suppliers and input on Scope 3 Emissions
As part of the H+H UK value chain, we know that 85% of our carbon missions are attributed to the raw materials we purchase from our suppliers. We know that a 41% reduction in their own emissions is expected to be achieved in order to reach our own 2030 goal.
Singleton Birch (Lime supplier)
✔ Have a net negative roadmap to -13% by 2040 and are
✔ partnering with Origen Carbon Solutions to build a zero-carbon enabled pilot lime kiln
✔ Singleton Birch also generates 95% of its low-carbon electricity through anaerobic digestion, reducing the carbon emissions associated with electricity usage
Cemex UK (Cement supplier)
✔ Has a target to reduce its CO2 emissions by 55% (from all cementitious material)
✔ In the UK Cemex has already achieved a 41% reduction in C02 emissions
✔ And produces 100% of its UK electricity from renewable energy sources
✔ Cemex has recorded a 72% usage of alternative fuels to part-replace fossil fuels in its cement production
✔ A Climafuel unit is used in the UK, which operates by using domestic and commercial waste, reduces Greenhouse Gas emissions and improves embodied carbon in its cement products
UK Raw materials
For 75 years H+H UK has used PFA in the production of its aircrete product. PFA is a by-product of the coal industry and even though less power is now generated using coal, there are vast reserves of PFA still available
Up to 80% of PFA is used to produce H+H aircrete A considerable 99% of raw materials are sourced from the UK Since 2022 100% of the cement used is CEMII, reducing the use of Ordinary Portland Cement by 35%
Aluminium is the only raw material sourced from outside the UK, with only 0.5% (maximum) used to the dry weight of cement
In 2016 our Pollington plant had a fully operating wind turbine
H+H UK Electric usage
installed to reduce electricity taken from the grid Drawn from
Even small changes are taking place: By installing LED lighting, it has been possible to save
200,000
kWh per year
An upgrade to the gas burners within the UK factories has improved efficiency and future-proofed by ensuring they are also Hydrogen compatible
In 2022 H+H UK also signed up as Members of the East Coast Hydrogen and Capital Hydrogen consortia, showing our commitment to continued energy savings and our continued belief in being early adopters wherever possible
Water used during production
During the production process, the H+H factories recycle 60% of the fresh water used and there are further goals in place to further reduce water intensity
Currently, over 50% of the water used is sourced from canals and boreholes
Site Recycling
H+H UK have a
Zero waste to landfill policy.
All general business waste is taken off site, sorted and managed by our suppliers and is then reused for waste energy initiatives or to promote efficient recycling schemes
Any Aircrete waste is recycled
back into the production process and used as aggregate, thereby ensuring a 100% recycling ratio
Product Packaging
Stretch wrap with 30%
recycled plastic and no longer uses gas fired methods
Banding with 98%
recycled plastic
Wrapping is 100%
recyclable
Wooden pallets 100%
FSC certified timber
Since 2018 packaging thickness has been reduced from 75 micron to 50 micron, helping reduce plastic usage
Pallet reclamation initiative in place for over 10 years
H+H UK have committed to using only Electric or Hybrid company
company cars
The past two years has seen a drive to replacing older Diesel driven Forklift trucks with
Electric vehicles
Our transport partner, R T Keedwells have reported the following:
Reduced CO2 Emissions by 13% between 2022 and 2023.
Targeted Fleet Renewal: Older, less efficient vehicles were strategically replaced with newer models providing improved fuel economy and lower emission standards.
Driver Training Initiatives: A comprehensive driver training programme focused on eco-driving techniques, helping to optimise fuel efficiency and minimise environmental impacts.
Diversity in nature
Aligned to BRE Environmental and Sustainability Standard for Responsible Sourcing BES:6001
Site Stewardship:
EPD Information
We are developing our specific EPD’s and intend to have these available in Q3 2024.
We are also working with our trade association to develop a generic aircrete EPD. Further work is underway to forecast how the decarbonisation improvements from our production processes and from our supply chain will deliver significantly improved EPD values year on year.
Product in use/end of Life
Aircrete has been in production for 100 years and has proven longevity
In 2023 H+H UK re-tested
aircrete after 45 years proving its continued stability and strength
In 80 years of life,
Aircrete has a reported carbonation capacity of 95%
At end of life, 97.5% of aircrete can be recycled (used as fillers or hardcore)with only the remaining 2.5% going to landfill.
As aircrete houses have a predicted life of well over 100 years, very little recycling takes place and its capacity for recarbonation is considerable
For further information and to check our most up-to-date product range, or to find your nearest stocking merchant, please visit our website or contact the following departments:
Sales
For sales enquiries or to find your local stockist please contact:
Tel: 01732 886444
Technical
For technical enquiries please contact: Tel: 01732 880580
