Driving sustainable change: circularity, waste reduction, and carbon goals

Driving carbon neutrality and circular economy in the acoustic industry

The architecture and design landscape is rapidly transforming, with sustainability now at its heart. What was once viewed as a supplementary element is now a fundamental principle, shaping every design decision. There has been a global movement encouraging global professionals to prioritize the environmental, social, and economic benefits of sustainable design.

Jonathan Mountfort, Creative Director at Autex Acoustics, notes, “Architects and designers have deepened their understanding of sustainability as it pertains to their roles and its impact on individual projects. The focus has shifted from general sustainability considerations to more specific and nuanced inquiries about product specifications and sustainability processes. Similarly, questions about our sustainability practices have evolved from ‘do we recycle’ to ‘how do we recycle.’”

Since its inception in 1967, Autex Acoustics has championed sustainability. Our first product, insulation, was made with zero waste for decades, setting a high benchmark for environmental responsibility. Today, sustainability permeates every facet of our operations, from material sourcing to product design and manufacturing.

Mountfort explains, “Sustainability is inherent in our business operations. It plays a pivotal role in our procurement team’s assessment of potential raw materials and suppliers, considering their environmental and social impacts. Our research and development team also prioritizes sustainability, focusing on minimizing material usage and designing products for disassembly and recyclability at the end of life. Our production teams are equally dedicated to minimizing waste during production and redirecting product trimmings away from landfills.”

Our deep-rooted commitment to sustainability fuels numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing our environmental impact and advancing sustainable technology.

In 2021, Autex Acoustics achieved carbon neutrality across all global operations, including our entire acoustic product line. Our circular economy strategy guides us towards clear, regularly reviewed goals, with a focus on continuous improvement. This dedication is evident in our innovative recycling approach for panel offcuts.

Mountfort highlights, “In the past, we’ve used recycled manufacturing waste as insulation infill, which is commendable, but now we’ve introduced an industry-first process for recycling panel offcuts made from recycled PET. Traditionally, recycled PET was destined for landfills, but our pioneering machine can convert recycled PET fiber into solid pellets usable by various manufacturers for a range of applications.”

This groundbreaking recycling process not only enhances resource efficiency but also aligns with our goal of repurposing 100% of post-industrial waste, moving us closer to zero-waste manufacturing. We are also increasing the proportion of recycled content in our products and working towards closed-loop production systems.

The urgency of these efforts is underscored by the fact that the United States reportedly generates 600 million tons of construction and demolition waste.  Having a positive impact on this issue is something that Autex Acoustics is fervently pursuing through our design-for-circularity approach.

Mountfort adds, “As product designers, we prioritize designing for circularity to ensure our products are as sustainable as possible. While products like Frontier™ and our new adhesive-free air-gap system, Lanes™, can be disassembled at the end of their life, our ultimate aim is to have 100% of our product portfolio designed for disassembly. Moreover, we aspire to repurpose all post-industrial waste generated during the manufacturing process into new products, paving the way for zero-waste manufacturing lines. Our commitment to sustainability extends to collaborating with the broader industry to advocate for improved product stewardship, recognizing the importance of collective action in achieving a greener future.”

In a world where sustainability is ever-evolving, Autex Acoustics plays a crucial role in advancing sustainable design practices. By integrating sustainability into our core values, operations, and product development, we exemplify our commitment to environmental responsibility and aim to inspire industry-wide progress.