Pioneering circular design for a more sustainable future

Autex Acoustics® has long recognised that to reshape the world, they must reshape their practices. Over the past 30 years, they have integrated sustainability into everything they do, developing innovative solutions across every aspect of material sourcing, product design, manufacturing, and business operations.

 

 

As of 2019, our built environment contributes a staggering 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, with materials and construction accounting for 11% of that total. This substantial impact has prompted an important shift towards prioritising sustainability in the building industry.

 

For product designers and manufacturers, this responsibility is paramount.

 

Jonathan Mountfort, Autex Acoustics’ creative director, stresses, “Sustainable building products create sustainable buildings. To build a high-performing building, the products used to build it must be as considered as the building design itself.”

 

Achieving a net positive environmental impact requires the industry to embrace sustainable practices comprehensively, from design to disposal.

 

Autex Acoustics has ingrained sustainability into their core operations — influencing decisions across material sourcing, product design, manufacturing, logistics, and daily functions.

 

One crucial aspect of this ethos is material management. Beyond their use in products, materials have a life cycle that extends beyond a building’s lifespan. Traditionally, these materials end up in landfills, contributing significantly to the construction waste problem.

 

To address this, products must be designed for circularity — a principle Autex Acoustics champions. They incorporate practices such as using a minimum of 60% recycled fiber, recycling all product off-cuts, offering a take-back program, and operating as a certified carbon-neutral manufacturer.

However, Autex Acoustics’ ambitions don’t stop there. Mountfort elaborates, “We’re now looking beyond sustainability to regenerative and nature positive design practices where a product can positively affect the climate, ecosystem, and human well-being.”

 

“We’re investing in design and research, pioneering new recycling systems, and making connections with other companies who share a similar ethos. In short, we want to inspire the industry to help build the world we want.”

 

By embodying their principles, Autex Acoustics not only sets an example but also empowers design professionals to prioritize environmental considerations. As access to sustainable products expands, the built environment’s negative impact diminishes, and a brighter future becomes a reality.