Designing for circularity: how Autex Acoustics® is putting their principles into practice

To change the world, Autex Acoustics understands they must first change the system. By integrating sustainable practices at every stage of the product design process, they’re moving closer to achieving that goal.

 

 

Our built environment is currently responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, with 11% of that stemming from materials and construction. With such a substantial share of global emissions, it’s no surprise that many key players in the construction industry are prioritising sustainability.

 

 

For product designers and manufacturers, this stewardship is especially crucial.

 

 

“Sustainable building products lead to sustainable buildings,” says Jonathan Mountfort, Autex Acoustics’ creative director. “To create a high-performing building, the products used in its construction must be as carefully considered as the building design itself.”

 

 

For the building industry to tip the scales towards a positive environmental impact, those involved in designing and producing materials must commit to sustainable practices.

 

 

For Autex Acoustics, this commitment is ingrained in the core of the business — evident in every decision made regarding product design, manufacturing, transportation, and day-to-day operations.

 

 

One vital aspect of this commitment to sustainability is material selection and management. Every material has a life beyond its time in a product, yet traditionally, once a product finishes its use in a building, it’s often discarded into landfills and forgotten — contributing to the over 130 million tonnes of construction waste generated annually in the United Kingdom.

 

 

To decrease the amount of building materials ending up in landfills, products must be designed for circularity — a principle Autex Acoustics proudly upholds. From sourcing fibres to recycling at end-of-life, Autex Acoustics has implemented practices like using a minimum of 45% recycled fibre in their products, recycling all product offcuts, introducing a take-back scheme, and operating as a certified carbon-neutral manufacturer.

However, Autex Acoustics’ sustainability journey doesn’t end with these basics. “We’re now looking beyond sustainability to embrace nature-positive and regenerative design practices where a product can have a positive impact on the climate, ecosystem, and human well-being,” Mountfort explains.

 

 

“We’re investing in design and research, pioneering new recycling systems, and building partnerships with other companies that share a similar ethos. In essence, we aim to inspire the industry to contribute to building the world we desire.”

 

 

By refusing to remain stagnant or settle for minimal efforts, Autex Acoustics is practising what they advocate for — and making it simpler for design professionals to make environmentally conscious decisions for their buildings. As the availability of genuinely sustainable products increases, the adverse impact of the built environment will decrease.