New online portal will help businesses to ‘build back better’

Construction and development company Wates Group has launched a new online portal to help boost sustainability and enable businesses to ‘build back better.’ 

The Wates Innovation Network (WIN) portal is designed to connect companies directly with partners that can offer solutions to help them meet their sustainability targets.

The network is currently home to 42 innovation partners approved by a screening panel including 40 environmental experts, the partners include businesses that improve energy efficiency to circular economy office furniture.

Users can filter sustainable innovations based on their requirements to help them to find the product and supplier most suitable for them.

Through the network, a leading UK bank was able to identify 20 potential sustainable innovations to help reduce its carbon footprint across more than 1,300 buildings.

One already in place is Endotherm, an energy-saving additive for heating systems, that has been independently proven to save up to 15% on heating bills.

John Dunne, group health, safety, environment and quality director at Wates Group, said:  ‘The market for sustainable solutions is expanding fast and companies who are not investing in innovations will soon be unable to compete.

‘The issue is 95% of market-ready sustainable technologies never get considered because key decision-makers do not know they exist, or suppliers don’t have access to the key corporate decision-makers. The WIN portal is bridging that gap, showcasing innovation and helping businesses to meet bold environmental targets.’

The WIN portal has been launched after the company announced its five-year strategy to help reduce the industry’s environmental impact, supporting the Government’s target of net-zero buildings, and fostering the growth of sustainable, innovative SMEs across the UK.

In related news, industry experts have warned that the social housing sector is running out of time to meet its sustainability targets.

In a survey conducted by Wienenerberger on 150 decision-makers who are involved in the specification of building materials, 88% agreed that the sector cannot afford to wait for the pending Decarbonisation Fund and Decent Homes Standard.