Q&A with Craig Penton, General Manager and Divisional Director at SAS International Australasia

With extensive experience in the construction industry and a passion for environmental stewardship, Craig’s leadership has propelled SAS International to the forefront of sustainability within the architectural and design space. Here, he talks to us about SAS International’s landmark achievement as the first metal ceiling manufacturer to receive Cradle to Cradle certified Bronze Version 4 accreditation, the company's ambitious ESG strategy and the visionary SAS Horizon product program.

What is your background and what does your current role in the business entail? 

I’ve been in the construction industry for over 15 years now, and in my current role as General Manager and Divisional Director at SAS International Australia I have the privilege of leading an exceptional team dedicated to providing clients across Australia and New Zealand with premium sustainable products and services.

How has your career path led you to your current role leading SAS International's sustainability efforts?

It’s paramount for all industry professionals in leadership roles to be forward-thinking when it comes to sustainability. Personally, all throughout my leadership journey, I have consistently championed environmental practices and strived to drive positive change, and now I leverage this extensive experience and passion for environmental stewardship to continue elevating SAS International's sustainability efforts in Australia.

What is SAS International's overarching sustainability vision?

Our overarching sustainability vision is centred around integrating the five key principles of Cradle to Cradle certified into our ESG strategy, which means we're committed to making products that are safe, circular, and responsibly made. We have transformed our design, engineering, and manufacturing processes to prioritise a thorough understanding of the chemical composition of our raw materials, ensuring they are safe for both human health and the environment. We also emphasise minimising waste and maximising material reuse and recycling throughout the product life cycle, aligning with circular economy principles. And apart from helping us reduce our environmental footprint, embracing Cradle to Cradle certified principles also promotes innovation in product design and manufacturing.

But our commitment goes beyond the environment. We believe in fair labour practices, being involved in our communities, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe and included. This holistic approach positions us as an industry leader dedicated to a sustainable future, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of sustainability and responsibility.

How does this vision align with broader industry trends and regulatory requirements, particularly within the Australasian market?

As a leading UK manufacturer, SAS International is way ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability – we're actually exceeding current Australian regulatory targets for net zero. We offer a range of solutions that not only comply with the existing Australian regulations but anticipate whatever future requirements might come about. Our UK team continues to provide us with emerging sustainability insights, which helps us stay ahead of the game and be prepared for changes in the Australasian market.

Given the pivotal role of the UK headquarters in driving sustainability initiatives, could you discuss how these strategies are disseminated and implemented across the global operations of SAS International?

Our UK team is pivotal in developing and leading our sustainability initiatives, which are then implemented across our global operations. We establish centralised strategies and global standards that guide our international branches, to ensure everyone's on the same page and delivering high-quality results. To help with this, we provide comprehensive training and resources, tailoring our strategies to fit local regulations and conditions. We also have robust monitoring and reporting systems – including insights from our annual sustainability report – which help track progress, make sure we’re meeting our goals and ensure compliance.

By fostering a culture of feedback and continuous improvement, we effectively translate our sustainability goals into actionable practices worldwide, driving meaningful environmental and social impact across all regions.

SAS International is the first metal ceiling manufacturer to receive Cradle to Cradle certified Bronze Version 4 accreditation. Could you elaborate on the specific materials and processes that have been modified to achieve Cradle to Cradle certification? Were there any specific challenges you had to overcome in pursuing the certification?

Becoming the first metal ceiling manufacturer to earn Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze Version 4 accreditation is a huge point of pride for SAS International. To achieve this, we made some major improvements to our materials and processes. We switched to using healthier, more sustainable metals and finishes, ensuring our products are safe for both people and the environment. We also redesigned our products with circularity in mind, making them easier to take apart and reuse.

One of our biggest challenges was refining our standards and policies to address environmental impact, health and safety, and human rights; ensuring that our practices not only meet but exceed the rigorous requirements of the certification. These improvements in materials and manufacturing processes have elevated our commitment to material health, environmental stewardship, and ethical practices, making SAS International the first metal ceiling manufacturer to earn this prestigious certification.

Let’s talk about SAS Horizon. How does the SAS Horizon product program contribute to SAS International's ambition to achieve Cradle to Cradle Silver and beyond?

The recently launched SAS Horizon product range represents a major shift in our materials – now, we're exclusively using low-carbon steel and aluminium. This transition has cut the embodied carbon of our finished products by more than half, while boosting their recycled content up to 95%.

The SAS Horizon product program is key to SAS International’s goal of achieving Cradle to Cradle certified Silver accreditation and beyond. Horizon products are made with a focus on sustainability, using low embodied carbon, and highly recyclable materials. They are designed to be easily taken apart, reused, or recycled, which supports a circular economy. The program also aligns with SAS’s wider sustainability efforts, including the use of renewable energy, careful water use, and ethical practices across the supply chain.

SAS International has set out to achieve net-zero carbon targets by 2040. What are some of the key milestones you’re implementing to achieve this ambitious goal, and what specific targets have been set for reducing embodied carbon in SAS International's products? 

All SAS products are manufactured in our plant, which operates under ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 standards, ensuring exceptional environmental and quality performance. We're also committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, and to get there, we're really focusing on reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. We're investing heavily in energy-efficient equipment and transportation, and on-site renewable technologies – including a solar PV system that supplies 35% of our electrical needs.

Our SAS Horizon range and other circularity projects we’re developing are also helping us meet the growing demand for sustainable products. These efforts ensure SAS products are highly sustainable, with low embodied carbon, while maintaining the durability and flexibility of metal.

What are some of the frustrations that you see in the market when it comes to sustainability?

Greenwashing and misinformation are real problems in our industry right now. Unfortunately, some builders still choose cheaper, less sustainable options unless the customer is willing to pay extra for certified materials. Thankfully, architects are becoming more diligent about verifying certifications to ensure they're valid and legitimate, so we're hopeful that as awareness grows, the whole market will shift towards valuing true sustainability.

How is SAS International helping address this challenge? 

We believe transparency is pivotal to fostering a more sustainable built environment, which is why we provide architects, designers, and builders with information that empowers them to make more conscious environmental choices. Certifications are a crucial part of this process, and I’ve already mentioned our commitment to Cradle to Cradle and ISO standards.

In addition, our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) offer a comprehensive, transparent, and independently verified overview of our products' environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, utilisation and end of life. Additionally, a broad range of our signature products – including metal mesh systems, metal linear profile systems, grid systems, and plain and perforated steel and aluminium ceiling tiles – are all Global GreenTag GreenRate Level A certified. As your readers will know, Global GreenTag is one of the world's most robust, trusted, and widely recognised independent ecolabels. GreenRate Level A is the highest possible GreenRate certification, showcasing our commitment to sustainability and transparency. It also makes it easier for specifiers to make more informed choices and pursue their environmental ambitions in creating a more sustainable architecture and design industry.

And lastly, are there any emerging technologies or trends that you are particularly excited about, and that you foresee as fundamental to advancing SAS International’s sustainability efforts?

At SAS International, we're excited about several emerging technologies and trends that could significantly boost our sustainability efforts. For example, innovations in materials with low embodied carbon are critical for reducing the overall carbon footprint of construction and manufacturing. These materials include products like low-carbon concrete, sustainably sourced metals, and alternative insulation materials that have a minimal environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. In terms of the circular economy innovations, new advancements in recycling and materials recovery are helping us manage resources better and reduce waste, supporting our goals in that area.

Another exciting area of innovation is bio-based materials, like bamboo, hempcrete and bio-composites. Derived from renewable sources such as plants or agricultural by-products, they have lower environmental impacts and contribute to a circular economy, offering a much more sustainable alternative to traditional materials.

Supply chain management is another crucial area of innovation. Technologies that improve supply chain transparency and traceability can help ensure that raw materials and components are sourced sustainably. For instance, tools like blockchain for supply chain management can verify that suppliers adhere to environmental and ethical standards.

And, finally, new developments in sustainable packaging materials and techniques help reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Options such as biodegradable or recyclable packaging and reduced material use contribute to lower waste and a smaller carbon footprint.

By embracing these technologies and trends, SAS International is charging ahead towards our sustainability goals, making a positive impact on the environment for today and for generations to come.

Written by Architecture & Design and published with their permission.