Carbon-12: Autex Acoustics.
Image credit: Tim Ainsworth
In association with:
Autex Acoustics is a leading provider of acoustic solutions, specialising in designing and manufacturing certified carbon-neutral soundproofing products.
Headquartered in New Zealand, Autex offers a diverse range of acoustic panels, tiles, and baffles tailored to enhance sound quality and reduce noise in various environments, such as workplaces, schools, and public spaces. Free from harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and VOCs, its materials are non-toxic.
Carbon credentials
- Manufacturer: Autex
- Product: Cube™, Mirage™
- Materials: +80% recycled PET
- Applications: Acoustic treatment for wall & ceiling
- Carbon status: Verified carbon neutral
- Accrediting body: Ekos
- EPD: Yes / No / Pending
- Additional credentials: Telarc Registered Environment IS0 14001, Declare Red List Free, Global GreenTag GreenRate Certified, HPDC Member. Can contribute to achieving the following building rating accreditations: WELL, LEED, Green Star, BREEAM.
EPD for Autex Wallcoverings, EPD for Autex Panels & Tiles. These EPDs are independently verified to ISO 14064-1.
Image credit: Tim Ainsworth
The embodied carbon in Autex products is low due to the use of recycled polyester fibre, which reduces energy use and emissions compared to virgin materials. Recycled polyester requires less energy to produce than virgin polyester because it skips the energy-intensive steps of extracting and refining crude oil, and synthesising new plastic.
Autex monitors its recycled content and production volumes in real time in order to measure its embodied emissions. It applies Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors from its EPDs to every kilogram of fibre processed, allowing it to accurately quantify the associated greenhouse gas emissions for all products (and offcuts) manufactured over the past year.
It repurposes existing plastic, like used bottles, through a simpler process of cleaning, melting, and re-spinning into fibre. Its Recycled Content Declaration specifies the percentage of recycled content in each product group.
The manufacturing process is energy-efficient, with minimised waste, and a closed-loop system that recycles production offcuts. Autex has also developed waste-based fixing systems for its products, SpinFix: an adhesive-free wall fixing created entirely from production waste. All Autex products are 100% recyclable, ensuring they can be repurposed at the end of their lifecycle.
Autex measure its operational emissions across Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect energy), and Scope 3 (supply chain) categories. Data is collected from a range of sources including invoices, internal reports, and online portals. Once resource usage is quantified, it applies region-specific emissions factors to calculate the CO₂-equivalent (CO₂-e) impact of its operations.
Image credit: Tim Ainsworth
Image credit: Tim Ainsworth
Image credit: Tim Ainsworth
Image credit: Tim Ainsworth
Autex Acoustics has EPDs available for all of its products, providing transparent, third party verified data on the cradle-to-gate emissions of its products measured per kilogram: EPD for Autex Wallcoverings, EPD for Autex Panels & Tiles. These EPDs are independently verified to ISO 14064-1.
Conducting annual carbon accounting, Autex tracks emissions across its operations, including identifying emission hotspots and trends, which inform its reduction strategies. Using the emissions data from its EPDs, Autex offsets the carbon footprint of every kilogram of fibre processed through its manufacturing lines.
For emissions that cannot yet be eliminated, Autex purchases UN Certified Emission Reductions (UNCERs) to offset all these products' greenhouse emission global warming potential (GWP). Certified carbon credits are emissions reductions that have been independently verified and issued by recognised bodies such as the United Nations, Gold Standard, or Verra. Each credit represents one tonne of CO₂-equivalent emissions avoided or removed from the atmosphere.
Offsetting emissions with Certified Emission Reduction units (UNCERs) involves purchasing CERs that are issued from trustworthy climate-friendly projects called Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. CDM projects take place in developing countries and contribute to their sustainable development. Each project goes through a strict and thorough vetting process. These carbon credits support verified environmental projects that remove or prevent emissions elsewhere, allowing Autex to balance its operational footprint to carbon neutral.
Autex Acoustics products hold a range of respected accreditations linked to quality, sustainability, and safety. These include Declare Labels, which provide transparency about the materials used, ensuring compliance with sustainable and non-toxic building requirements. They also meet the criteria for certifications such as LEED, WELL, and Green Star, making them ideal for projects aiming to achieve these building standards.
You can learn more about Autex Acoustics' products at Material Source Studio Manchester and Glasgow as part of the Carbon-12 installation. No booking required.
