written by Charlie Taylor
Springbond – Setting New Environmental Standards in Flooring
Springbond was the first underlay solution to achieve Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification, establishing new benchmarks in sustainable flooring. As one of only a few underlays with this certification, it maintains a leading position in environmental transparency and sustainable manufacturing. This internationally recognised certification provides transparent, verified environmental impact data across the product’s entire lifecycle – from manufacturing to end-of-life management.
Understanding EPD Certification
An Environmental Product Declaration represents the gold standard in environmental transparency and accountability. Meeting EPD requirements means Springbond:
• Undergoes rigorous third-party verification of environmental performance
• Provides complete lifecycle assessment data
• Demonstrates quantifiable environmental impacts
• Meets strict international standards for environmental reporting
Why EPD Matters for Housebuilders
For housebuilders, Springbond’s EPD certification delivers multiple advantages:
1. Regulatory Compliance
• Helps to meet increasingly stringent environmental building regulations
• Supports planning permission requirements
• Contributes to sustainable construction certifications
2. Environmental Social Governance (ESG)
• Provides documented evidence of environmental commitment
• Supports corporate sustainability reporting
• Enhances ESG scores and environmental credentials
3. Market Advantage
• Meets growing consumer demand for sustainable homes
• Differentiates developments in the marketplace
• Appeals to environmentally conscious buyers
Beyond EPD: Comprehensive Environmental Benefits
Springbond helps housebuilders achieve broader environmental goals through:
Circular Economy Leadership
• Transforms up to 900 recycled plastic bottles per household into high-performance underlay
• Diverts plastic waste from oceans and landfills
• Creates a sustainable lifecycle for single-use plastics
Indoor Air Quality
• Zero VOC emissions for healthier living spaces
• Chemical-free composition
• Inherently flame-resistant without harmful additives
Superior Performance
• Precision-engineered manufacturing ensures consistent quality
• Enhanced acoustic properties for better sound insulation
• Exceptional durability extends product lifecycle
• Smooth, bump-free installation reduces waste
Environmental Management Excellence
• ISO 14001 certified manufacturing process
• Documented reduction in energy use per unit of output
• Continuous improvement in environmental performance
• Systematic approach to environmental management
Additional Environmental Considerations for Housebuilders
When selecting environmentally-friendly building materials, consider:
1. Supply Chain Sustainability
• Springbond’s local manufacturing reduces transportation emissions • Transparent sourcing of recycled materials
• Efficient production processes minimise environmental impact
2. Whole-Life Performance
• Long-term durability reduces replacement frequency • Maintenance-free performance
• Future recyclability potential
3. Documentation & Certification
• Complete environmental impact documentation
• Contribution to building certification schemes
• Support for environmental compliance reporting
4. Occupant Wellbeing
• Enhanced indoor air quality
• Superior acoustic performance
• Improved thermal comfort
Technical Excellence Meets Environmental Responsibility
Springbond’s unique S-shaped fibre technology delivers:
• Superior comfort and support
• Enhanced acoustic insulation
• Consistent performance throughout its lifecycle
• Zero chemical treatments or additives
This innovative approach ensures that environmental benefits never compromise performance, making Springbond the ideal choice for sustainable construction projects.
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance – it’s a framework used to measure how sustainable and ethical a company or product is.
Environmental Leadership
• Pioneer in EPD certification for underlay products
• ISO 14001 certification demonstrating systematic environmental management
• Documented energy efficiency improvements
• Industry-leading recycled content utilisation
Social Responsibility
• SMETA 4 Pillars accreditation validating ethical business practices
• Commitment to worker welfare and community impact
• Enhanced workplace conditions and safety standards
• Robust social compliance programs
Governance
• Transparent environmental reporting through EPD
• ISO 14001 certification showing responsible business management
• SMETA 4 Pillars verification of ethical practices
• Comprehensive documentation and compliance systems
In the context of Springbond, ESG performance is particularly important because:
1. Companies (like housebuilders) are increasingly required to report their ESG metrics to investors and stakeholders
2. Many large organisations have ESG targets they need to meet
3. Using products with strong ESG credentials (like Springbond) helps companies improve their own ESG scores
4. Consumers and investors are increasingly making decisions based on ESG performance
This is why having certifications like EPD is valuable – it provides verified evidence of strong environmental performance, which contributes to better ESG ratings.