Sustainability Login

Certified environmental impact content

For each specific project, the environmental impact of the NPS® solution can be calculated in terms of CO2 equivalent and numerous other indicators, based on the official Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). This allows the designer and investor to compare the environmental impact of alternative structural solutions and make an objective choice.

The NPS® beam-column solution reduces CO2 emissions and energy used by more than 20% compared to steel or concrete solutions. These data are proven by the comparative LCA carried out by the University of Genoa on two actual buildings. The environmental impacts per kg of beam are confirmed by the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

DOWNLOAD THE NPS® BEAM EPD

The importance of Embodied Carbon

Until now, the focus has been on reducing the emissions produced during the use of the building.

However, it is estimated that more than half of the total carbon emissions from all the new global constructions between 2020 and 2050 will be due to embodied carbon and therefore emissions related to materials and building construction/renovation (source BuildingLife Roadmap).

It is therefore necessary to focues not only on the operational emissions of buildings and to start considering both operational and embodied carbon in an integrated way.

NPS® beams represent an economical, fast and at the same time sustainable structural solution.


Contributes to obtaining LEED and DGNB credits

The use of NPS® beams can contribute to credits for building sustainability certification.

An external body supported Tecnostrutture in conducting a mapping on the contribution of NPS® products for obtaining credits for building sustainability certifications.

These specific mappings are available for LEED and DGNB certification.

DOWNLOAD LEED MAPPING
DOWNLOAD DGNB MAPPING

Less raw materials

NPS® beams exploit the structural efficiency of the combination of steel and concrete. This results in compact sections with less use of raw materials and optimisation of living space.

Compared to reinforced concrete solutions, for example, with the same performance, the section of the NPS® beam is more compact, with a saving in raw materials and consequent lower environmental impact.


Made with recycled steel

NPS BASIC beams are made from recycled steel, a percentage that exceeds 80% of the total weight, as confirmed by the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) issued by a third party.

The statement is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) per kg of beam.


Logistics with low environmental impact

Tecnostrutture adopts a logistics strategy that respects the environment. We prefer green fuel road transport or the intermodal solution with longer stretches by rail.

As shown by the analysis of the product life cycle (LCA), transport to the construction site affects 2-3% of the total life cycle. Therefore, in addition to offering solutions that have little impact on logistics, Tecnostrutture’s commitment is focused above all in the raw material supply and end-of-life management phases, those that weigh most heavily on the environmental impact of the entire product life cycle.


Reduced emissions throughout the life cycle

  • NPS® beams are modelled in BIM, with the lowest possible use of raw materials from the outset.
  • They are produced in the factory using both self-generated energy and - as of January 1, 2022 - energy derived entirely from renewable sources.
  • Logistics is also low emission. Tecnostrutture gives priority to green-fuel and intermodal transport.
  • Site organization is simplified thanks to the fact that fewer workers are needed for installation: a team consists of just three fitters and a crane operator, compared to the large work teams of traditional systems.
  • Reducing on-site activities increases construction speed by an average of 40%, with positive social effects on the local community.
  • There are also advantages in relation to the drastic reduction of formwork, wood and props that are no longer necessary since the structures are self-supporting. This saves trips to bring in and return the temporary materials as well as their production. The result is a substantial contribution to the reduction of construction site waste and scrap, with NPS® products arriving ready for assembly.
  • At the end of the building's life, NPS® beams are removed through selective demolition, which allows for the complete reuse of the steel and concrete used.