PROFILE: Adbri

5th Sep 2023

EPDs Used to Achieve Net Zero.

Adbri (formerly known as Adelaide Brighton) has been pioneering construction materials and industrial mineral manufacturing in Australia since 1882. Their stated purpose is to build a better Australia, contributing socially and economically. One of the core pillars of that purpose is sustainable growth, which naturally means contributing to a safe, healthy and sustainable future for our shared communities and environment.

As part of their commitment to sustainability, Adbri is targeting net zero emissions by 2050. We spoke to National Product Sustainability Lead, Zoe Schmidt about the company’s sustainability targets and the role EPDs are playing in achieving those targets.

Adbri is committed to a goal of net zero emissions by 2050. What are the key steps that will help the business to achieve this goal?

Our short term 2030 goals aim to employ a sustainability framework for a responsible Adbri that encompass focus areas relating to engaged people and communities incorporating healthy, safe and engaged people, and a sustainable and responsible business with a view to reduce adverse environmental impacts and proactively implement action to climate change.

Our Scope 1 and 2 emission targets are clearly mapped and published in our Net Zero roadmap, and we’re well on the way to working towards our scoped greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets. Our pathway to achieving Net Zero Scope 3 target emissions towards our 2050 goals is currently being considered in line with future mandated targets and our supply chain capability to support these targets.

What role do EPDs have to play in helping Adbri reach net zero by 2050?

A comprehensive accurate Life Cycle Analysis for our EPDs on our process and materials within our product ranges helps identify the expensive emission components that would prohibit us from progressing towards our reduction in emissions goals and outlines the opportunities to support our emissions campaign for a net zero path by 2050. It highlights gaps in our supply chain and assists us with the conversations we will have within our supply chain network.

In the past few months, Adbri has published 8 EPDs for a range of lime, masonry, concrete and cement products. What did you learn through the process of developing these EPDs?

Understanding the environmental impacts when qualified against international models and standards has been a valuable exercise in determining how these impacts contribute to the impact indicators of our products as a material component towards construction projects. Having visibility over the inputs is critical to achieving our objectives in working towards our 2030 and 2050 targets and becoming a supplier of choice. Our published EPDs primarily assist our customers with the value add of Adbri as a responsible supplier of construction products.

How do you plan to use your EPDs in the future, whether for marketing, benchmarking or other purposes?

Having EPDs affords Adbri the opportunity to benchmark against similar products in the marketplace as well as consider international practises to support our emissions reduction goals. Providing published EPDs to the broader market affords our customers the opportunity to take advantage of our low emissions where initiatives such as the use of refuse derived fuels have given us the opportunity to extract maximum efficiency. Adbri has furthermore implemented a verified Process EPD system that allows for accredited bespoke EPDs to be generated for projects, facilitating the investigation into alternative repurposed materials, made possible with our competent technical teams across our product ranges.

Further information:

• Download EPDs registered to Adbri
• Learn more about Adbri’s approach to sustainability