As the UK accelerates towards net zero goals, MiTek has positioned itself as a key partner for customers and housebuilders aiming to reduce environmental impact and meet future building standards.
MiTek continues to lead the way in the sector as the government and UK housebuilders work to tackle the climate crisis head-on through stricter sustainability standards and targets.
As one of the few manufacturers of metal web joists and connector plates to have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) on its products, MiTek offers its customers the tools to help calculate whole house carbon emissions, with just a few clicks of a button.
Since 2022, MiTek’s connector plates and metal web joists have been independently EPD-verified for the UK market, upgraded in 2023 to meet new regulations, and certified under EN 15804 standards. These EPDs are valid for five years and consider every detail of the product lifecycles, from raw materials and manufacturing to energy use and end-of-life disposal.
Unlocking whole house emissions
Jimmy Close is Head of Business Development for MiTek’s Offsite Solutions.
He said: “Part of my role over the past five years has been staying close to housebuilders to understand what they need. By getting into that mindset, I was able to see just how crucial upcoming changes to building regulations would be. It became apparent that, eventually, any supplier without an EPD would run the risk of not being able to supply to housebuilders. To truly understand a home’s environmental impact, you need to know the EPD rating of everything that goes into it.
“We’re ahead of our competitors – we’ve had EPDs on our metal products for three years now.”
MiTek’s Roof, Truss and Wall software, PAMIR, outputs a full list of specified materials, giving users the information they need to help calculate the overall carbon output of a house.
Once users have the material data from PAMIR, they can link it to relevant product EPD ratings to generate whole-house CO₂ estimates — helping customers and housebuilders assess environmental performance during the planning phase.
Using EPD ratings and PAMIR to understand an entire house’s carbon footprint brings benefits to housebuilders, the supply chain and the homeowner.
“Ultimately, this means MiTek’s customers can meet the demands of housebuilders who are setting goals in line with government targets,” added Jimmy. “Our tool gives customers the ability to provide housebuilders with accurate carbon calculations for the structural elements of a house.
“Housebuilders are making key decisions based on data, so being able to provide them with the data to choose the right product based, not just on performance, but sustainability factors and environmental credentials is crucial.”
A smart investment
MiTek’s Posi-Joist and truss systems offer significant advantages for housebuilders and the wider supply chain striving to meet environmental challenges. Beyond their independently verified EPDs, MiTek products provide essential flexibility for installing sustainable technologies, alongside valuable savings in space, time, and cost.
The added advantage of MiTek’s PAMIR software, which enables customers to calculate whole-house emissions, offers a crucial edge in meeting evolving regulations and achieving their own sustainability goals.
“Homebuyers are more conscious than ever of their impact on the planet too,” Jimmy added. “Many are willing to pay more for technologies that support sustainability.”
What’s next for MiTek
MiTek isn’t standing still. As the industry, and the UK, continues its push towards net zero, MiTek is investing in further developments to offer more functionality within its software for users to understand emissions at an even deeper level.
“In future versions we’re looking to include a more structured report within our own software aligned to EPD product category rules,” said Jimmy. “We’re also exploring a green steel EPD as a lower-impact alternative to standard steel, another way we can help customers meet their sustainability targets.”
Learn more about MiTek’s metal web joists and trusses here, or explore our software solutions here.
