In a significant move to onboard India on the journey of net zero carbon, Gyproc India has unveiled the production of low carbon plasters (1) at its Tiruvallur facility. The initiative is poised to deliver an estimated carbon footprint reduction (GWP) of 40% - 50% compared to existing Gyproc plasters (1) on their whole lifecycle. This is the first time in India for any gypsum plaster company to manufacture plasters with focus on reduced carbon emission leading to sustainable construction needs. 3rd party Verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) will be published later this year.
The key factors contributing to this environmental milestone include the strategic and innovative transition from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives such as Biomass from agricultural waste, renewable electricity, and biodiesel. The Tiruvallur plant's commitment to sustainability is evident in its remarkable increase in share of renewable energy, soaring from 11% in 2022 to an impressive 98% by mid-2023. This achievement of Gyproc India demonstrates the excellence of its manufacturing teams, R&D support, and further leverages their persistent and continuous efforts to achieve the Group's ambition of Net Zero carbon by 2050.
The transformation of the Tiruvallur gypsum plaster plant is not only a milestone for Gyproc but also a crucial contribution by Saint-Gobain to the decarbonization of buildings. With this innovation, Gyproc’s stakeholders can now offer low carbon products with same functional benefits to the ultimate customers and contribute to their overall projects’ sustainability. Saint-Gobain Group’s ambitious carbon objectives aim for 20% of its plasterboard production worldwide to derive from renewable energy by 2030. The progress witnessed in Fredrikstad, Norway, in 2023 is a significant step on the broader roadmap. In 2023 Saint-Gobain India launched low carbon Glass for India market customers.
Speaking about the initiative, Sudeep Kolte, Managing Director, Saint-Gobain Gyproc, added "The launch of our low carbon plasters is a testament to Gyproc's unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. We believe that the construction industry plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change, and as a leading changemaker in gypsum plasters, we are proud to pioneer solutions that significantly reduce carbon footprint. It is a concerted effort from Saint-Gobain to sustainably contribute to the Indian Construction Industry. The low carbon plaster will accelerate this vision and will actively contribute to Light and Sustainable Construction.”
Gyproc's new range of low carbon plasters aligns with Saint-Gobain Group’s overarching ambition of achieving Net Zero carbon by 2050. This achievement underscores Gyproc India's commitment to fostering a greener, more sustainable future in the construction sector.
Global Warming Potential (GWP) indicator calculated from cradle to grave (A1 to D stages) and to be communicated in the verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) under development for publication later this year
