Leading UK offsite frame manufacturer, Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS), has published, third party accredited environmental product declarations (EPD) for its full wall panel range.
In 2024, the DTS open panel Alpha system became the first off-site assembled timber frame wall panel in the UK to offer an approved EPD. DTS now also holds EPDs for its pre-insulated wall system, Delta; and the award-winning closed panel system, Sigma II solid stud and Sigma II I stud.
The EPD, which transparently communicates the environmental performance of a product over its lifetime, allows customers to accurately measure their carbon footprint and make informed decisions on the best product choices to meet sustainability goals. It also improves transparency regarding product performance claims, making it easier to compare the impacts of different materials and build systems accurately.
The use of EPDs is in line with the Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap to get Britain building with the use of sustainable and low carbon building materials, which was announced in February.
Originally launched in late 2023 under the Conservative Government, the Roadmap has been updated with more ambitious targets. The first priority theme is ‘improving data on timber and whole life carbon’. It is also a measurement which will become increasingly important if the proposed Part Z amendment to Building Regulations is accepted.
Valid for five years, the EPD is based on current available and published data for end-of-life assumptions. DTS is working on EPDs for its full product range, with floor and roof systems to follow.
John Smith, Technical Director at Donaldson Timber Systems, explains:
“We always champion the use of offsite timber frame construction as the best way to achieve sustainable building practices and meet net zero targets but telling customers this is no longer enough. If we are to make meaningful change, all environmental claims need to be backed up with proof."
"The only way to achieve zero carbon is to measure and reduce the whole-life carbon of buildings. The availability of environmental product declarations (EPDs) is an important step in recognising this."
“We’re proud to be leading the industry with proof that timber frame is a carbon sink, and we’re thrilled that we’re already seeing significant improvements on the EPD we achieved for our Alpha system just six months ago.”
Adam Gravely, Head of Technical and Innovation at the Future Homes Hub said:
“Understanding embodied and whole life carbon is a crucial next step if we are to meet our net zero carbon ambitions as a sector. There is a challenge around getting product-specific embodied carbon data and homebuilders are increasingly calling on their supply chains to provide EPDs to support their whole life carbon assessments."
“It’s great to see DTS’s commitment to supporting their customers and engaging with the Hub on how to drive down the embodied carbon impact of new homes.”
Along with an EPD, Sigma® II has achieved a range of third-party approvals, including BOPAS Plus, BBA, NHBC Accepts and STA Gold Assure, delivering the confidence that it is durable, complies with building regulations and technical standards while being designed, manufactured and installed to last for at least 60 years. Sigma® II was also the first timber system verified by Cast to exceed Homes England (HE) Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV) target of 55%, achieving up to 58.4%.
As part of the Donaldson Group’s Offsite division, DTS prides itself on being highly sustainable, innovative and efficient. Celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year, DTS offers unrivalled experience and knowledge in offsite construction, with an established history of bringing new commercial and operational innovations to the market.
