In the context of rising regulatory pressure and increased market scrutiny of embodied carbon, H+H UK — a leading manufacturer of aircrete blocks for the housebuilding sector — is using lifecycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPDs) to drive systemic, measurable emissions reductions. As part of a wider strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, H+H UK has committed to a 50% reduction in emissions intensity (kgCO₂e/m³) across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2030.
This approach isn’t just symbolic. It’s backed by granular carbon modelling, rigorous third-party verification, and a continuous feedback loop between operational data and decarbonisation actions. For those working across the construction value chain—designers, contractors, buyers, sustainability consultants — H+H UK’s strategy offers a scalable, transparent model for low-carbon manufacturing.
H+H UK’s roadmap outlines a phased reduction strategy:
Scope 1 and 2 reductions are being delivered through factory upgrades, including:
On Scope 3, the company is collaborating with suppliers such as Singleton Birch and CEMEX, who have their own decarbonisation pathways — including plans to build a hydrogen electrolyser, use of renewable electricity, and the adoption of alternative fuels.
For H+H UK, EPDs are not simply regulatory artefacts — they are decision-making tools.
“They help with that level of continuous improvement. Even if you don’t publish updates annually, they give you clarity on where to act. When we modelled one supplier’s specific EPD instead of using generic data, the impact was a 5% carbon reduction. That’s a substantial carbon saving for scope 3,” said Georgia Trythall, Sustainability Technician.
The company is finalising third-party verified EPDs for all of its UK-produced products. These declarations are based on cradle-to-grave modelling (A1–C4), rather than cradle-to-gate, reflecting the re-carbonisation of aircrete — a process where atmospheric carbon is reabsorbed by the material over its service life.
“If you’re comparing products, it’s critical to look beyond A1–A3. Our blocks re-carbonise in use, and that sequestration is represented in stage B. It’s a major argument for whole-life assessment,” Georgia Trythall noted.
This is particularly relevant in light of policies such as the London Plan, which now mandates whole-life carbon assessments for major developments. Transparent, high-quality EPDs enable meaningful comparisons and support compliance.
H+H UK’s manufacturing strategy links decarbonisation directly with cost efficiency and operational resilience:
By focusing on closed-loop systems and local resource sourcing, the business mitigates both environmental and economic risk. This is not abstract CSR — it’s embedded in the fundamentals of production.
Aircrete manufacturing is less carbon intensive than traditional concrete production, but it still involves some emissions — primarily from the cement and lime used in its composition. Yet H+H UK demonstrates how manufacturers can lead with transparent data, verified impacts, and a collaborative approach to the supply chain.
The company is also exploring hydrogen grid integration through participation in East Coast and Capital Hydrogen consortiums, and has committed to further innovations in low-carbon raw materials, as they become available, as well as additive optimisation.
For professionals tasked with product selection, procurement, or sustainability reporting, H+H UK’s approach offers three key lessons:
As demand for low-carbon materials accelerates, this kind of verified transparency will become a competitive advantage. Manufacturers who act early, model rigorously, and publish with integrity will be the ones most trusted by clients, regulators, and investors alike.