Rooting for sustainability, one of Europe’s leading producers of timber construction products has become the first manufacturer of its kind to actively measure and monitor the health of forests in its supply chain.
Timber composite window and door manufacturer NorDan invited independent consultant Fortis Facades to analyse Polish forests that form a vital part of the company supply chain. The brief was to check important factors such as tree health, density and chronology, as well as the quality and yield of timber.
The specialist BIOME division at Fortis employed a scientific approach to assessing the condition and sustainability of the NorDan forests. Its methods involve a variety of techniques, including tree boring and core sampling, surveying, geotagging and ecological surveys to establish the health of the trees and the soil.
Forestry stewardship and timber quality
For NorDan, this initiative not only helps to guarantee the quality of timber, but also to ensure good forestry practices are used in maintaining the sustainability of its woodlands. It reflects the company approach to sustainability — from the performance of its products through to the way they are manufactured and raw materials are sourced — explains Tom O’Sullivan, Technical Specification Advisor, NorDan UK:
“Timber is at the heart of our products, delivering thermal performance, longevity and low embodied carbon. We want to ensure that every piece of wood we use not only meets the highest quality standards but also aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship.
“That is why we invited Fortis Facades to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the trees in our supply chain. This meticulous approach will not only help ensure the timber we use is robust, sustainable and of the highest quality, it will also help safeguard the continued health of the forests and their environment long-term.”
In terms of performance, advanced production techniques further enhance the timber’s durability and resistance to environmental factors, guaranteeing a long lifecycle for products. This quality assurance allows NorDan to provide a 30-year warranty on all windows and doors against fungal attack, decay and rot.
Meteorological, climatic and environmental
As a leading façade engineering consultancy, Fortis Facades created BIOME to use meteorological, climatic and environmental sciences to understand how its products impact the climate in a changing world. It is an evolving scenario, says Thomas Ashfield, Façade Meteorologist and Climate Consultant, Fortis Facades:
“As the natural world changes, so do the resources we have become dependent upon. Climate change impacts the health, condition and availability of natural resources, including timber for construction. Our approach to understanding, monitoring and employing the use of natural resources must adapt accordingly.
“The ability to not only monitor and assess current conditions but also to forecast future trends is invaluable and a necessity for securing sustainable resources. This enables us to serve as more effective custodians, not only of the materials we harvest but also of the landscapes we ultimately shape and need to maintain.”
Clean power in production process
NorDan is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of high-performance windows and doors, as well as smart accessories. The company has maintained a strong focus on reducing its environmental impact ever since the 1960s, aspiring to be a market leader when it comes to sustainability and lower embodied carbon.
Today, much of the energy utilised by NorDan in its production processes is sustainable. Technologies and solutions include using timber offcuts to heat its facilities, a 10,000sq m solar farm to power its Powodowo site in Poland, plus its own hydroelectric power station to generate energy at its Norwegian factory in Moi.
Further Reading:
- More about timber composite window and door manufacturer NorDan;
- More about independent consultant Fortis Facades; and its specialist BIOME division;
- Also on SustMeme, Gaps in key sustainability data from manufacturers;
- Also on SustMeme, Landmark wooden building on Helsinki waterfront;
- Also on SustMeme, Forest now covers 25% post-industrial landscape;
- Also on SustMeme, Planning for sustainable wood-first placemaking;
- Also on SustMeme, Ultra-early wildfire detection raises pilot-site alarm;
- Also on SustMeme, Not just carbon: Policymakers undervalue forests.
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