Impact of buildings
Buildings are responsible for one quarter of the CO2 emissions generated by developed countries. Saint-Gobain manufactures construction products which make a significant contribution to saving the energy consumed for heating and air conditioning.
Insulation - the environment's best ally
The energy appraisal of glass wool demonstrates that the energy consumed for its production and transport is at least 100 times lower than the amount it saves on the heating for the building it is insulating. Glazing also makes a major contribution to insulation. As the world leader for coated glass, the Group has multiplied the energy performance of its glazing sixfold over the last 20 years, as a result of significant efforts in R&D.
Acoustic comfort rapidly gaining ground
A building that has used a combination of products developed by Saint-Gobain to efficiently insulate it from the cold or the heat will also be a building well insulated from noise. Saint-Gobain products offer the possibility of combining savings in energy with thermal and acoustic comfort as well as interior air quality. For example, using mineral wools together with plasterboard results in optimal acoustic insulation performance.
Energy-saving light
Saint-Gobain contributes to the development of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). These consume 5 times less energy than incandescent light bulbs, have a life 100 times longer and can offer a spectrum of light close to that of natural daylight.
Product life-cycle assessments for building industry products
We conduct product life-cycle assessments (LCAs) for all building industry product lines. It is crucial to assess the environmental impact of habitat-related products across their life cycle, from raw materials to end-of life disassembly and disposal. To meet this objective, we produced a common methodological framework for all building industry products. This framework complies with the relevant international standard.
