As of 2023, EchoPanel® acoustic panels are a carbon neutral product as certified by Climate Active
Climate Active is a voluntary initiative, providing partners a rigorous, transparent and science-based way to measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions. The Climate Active certification is one of the most rigorous in the world as a highly credible government-backed carbon neutral certification for businesses. It allows specifiers to confidently choose products that are stringently tested and third-party verified in their environmental impact. This certification covers all 7mm, 12mm and 24mm EchoPanel® acoustic panels including 12mm and 24mm precision cut designs.
For a product to be carbon neutral, it means action has been taken to reduce and remove as much carbon from the atmosphere as is produced by the product during the various stages of its lifecycle. Part of this was achieved by tripling their solar production, drastically reducing their dependence on fossil-fuel derived grid energy. Woven Image’s production facility now has the capacity to produce an average 340MWh of solar energy ever year. However, every product produces an impact of sorts, so those activities which cannot be eliminated are offset by carbon credit procurement, supporting projects that aim to reduce and remove emissions, to balance EchoPanel®’s carbon emissions status. Many of these projects provide a wider environmental and social impact beyond reducing carbon.
Since 2006, South Pole has partnered with sustainable-minded businesses around the world to drive systematic change for farmers, landholders and conservationists, South Pole projects make positive changes including the improvement of natural regeneration in local environments, improving water irrigation, switching from synthetic to organic fertilisers and job creation and training as part of the renewable’s revolution worldwide. Based on the environmental impact Woven Image has had in these regions, they have supported projects in the following areas: Indonesia, United States of America, Thailand, China and Australia.
Woven Image has purchased and retired carbon credits for South Pole projects to offset the EchoPanel® carbon inventory as part of the Climate Active Product certification process. One carbon credit means one tonne of carbon dioxide has been removed or prevented from entering the atmosphere. To ensure high levels of integrity, measurability, additionality and permanence in the sequestered carbon emissions, the carbon credit standards are defined by an internationally recognised carbon standard. For radical transparency, each carbon credit is viewable by the public and has a unique serial number to prevent double counting. Not only this, but as each project is unique, receiving a tailored methodology to appropriately measure its impact, subject to panel and public review.
As of 2023, EchoPanel® acoustic panels are a carbon neutral product as certified by Climate Active. Pioneered and launched back in 2004 as part of Woven Image’s commitment to product stewardship, EchoPanel® is a responsible material solution for waste minimisation and dematerialisation in commercial interior design. In 12mm and 24mm thicknesses and various precision cut designs, EchoPanel® is suitable for a range of commercial interior applications where both good design and acoustic performance are required. These include walls, workstation screens, space dividers and Array ceiling baffles. EchoPanel® acoustic wall panels are made of 100% PET, of which a minimum 60% is post-consumer plastics, recycled to create beautiful and functional design-led sustainable acoustic solutions for architects, interior designers and end-users.
A total of 6586 tonnes of PET plastic have been recycled to create the range of acoustic products, up until and including 2023. This means the equivalent of 329 million plastic drinking bottles have been diverted from waterways and landfill. This also equates to 7771 tonnes of carbon dioxide – to put that into perspective, that is 155 million balloons worth of carbon that has been prevented from entering the atmosphere. Woven Image’s research and manufacturing facility also utilises solar energy.
EchoPanel® achieves Global GreenTag™ (GreenRate level A), with the maximum Product Health Declaration™ Platinum Health. EchoPanel® is Red List Free, meaning it is free from the worst materials and chemicals known to pose serious harm to human and environmental health. They have published ingredient transparency with Declare and low VOC emissions. Their commitment to transparency is demonstrated by the publication of a robust Environmental Product Declaration with information on the material flows and environmental impacts during the life of EchoPanel®. The EchoPanel® EPD is recognised by International Green Building Tools including BREEAM®, LEED®, GreenStar® and WELL™ helping specifiers to source stringently tested sustainable products with confidence and in good conscience to the planet and building occupants. 
The Global Warming Potential of EchoPanel®, cradle-to-gate, including international distribution, has been neutralised through positive initiatives that increase the environmental health of regions that EchoPanel® has reached. As a sustainable interior design solution from inception, EchoPanel® continues to support the exterior environment as it delivers design-led acoustic enhancement for occupant wellbeing in commercial interiors.
EchoPanel® is available in the UK and Ireland exclusively through The Collective. Find out how you can use EchoPanel® in your next sustainable build by visiting wovenimage.com or reaching out at [email protected].
Photography courtesy of Woven Image
