TPI July 2013

products & developments Carbon-neutral pipes

the only pipe supplier on the Australian market to provide this service.

Hobas Australia is actively minimising its carbon footprint by taking part in the NoCO2 Certification programme of the Carbon Reduction Institute. Despite not being subject to the new carbon tax introduced for large CO 2 emitters in July 2012, Hobas is addressing its climate change action, and the company’s declared aim is to offer carbon-neutral Hobas pipes as a certified ‘Low Carbon’ company. “We assessed the carbon footprint of Hobas pipes by means of a greenhouse gas emissions analysis, which was verified by the Australian Carbon Reduction Institute,” said Andrew Holman from Hobas Australia. “Through the Institute’s NoCO2 Certification programme we are measuring, reducing and offsetting our climate change impacts through a variety of carbon offset programmes.” The carbon footprint study was conducted by the principles included in PAS 2050:2011 – a publicly available specification originally published in 2008 as the world’s first framework methodology for product carbon

Hobas currently supports two projects: the building of an environmentally friendly biomass plant in the Indian state Chhattisgarh; and a programme for reducing deforestation and improving living standards in Cambodia. “We are therefore not only reducing carbon emissions but are also supporting communities in developing countries. Being involved in both community-based and environmentally based initiatives, we are successfully attracting the interest of government bodies and private organisations,” said Mr Holman. Hobas has an offer available to Australian water authorities: whenever they purchase pipes from Hobas, the company is not only offering carbon- neutral pipes, but is additionally giving one per cent of the earnings to Water Aid – an international non-profit organisation that works to improve the water supply and discharge of sanitary waste in developing countries. Hobas Engineering GmbH – Austria info@hobas.com www.hobas.com other customers, but the principles of providing a high quality product and reliable service remain the same. By doing this successfully we have managed to build a strong relationship with a fantastic local company.” Mr Walls added, “As it is being used as an outdoor percussion instrument, the pipe we use needs to be incredibly durable. The Hunter pipe gives us this whilst the push fit element makes it simple to work with. We’ve got a great partnership with BSS and I’m confident the Bristol team will support us if we have any new ideas for instruments!”

footprinting, which is built upon ISO 14040/44 standards and provides a method for assessing the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services. The respective project offsetting calculations are performed according to international standards, such as the CDM Gold Standard. By supporting different offset programmes, Hobas Australia makes up for the emissions created in pipe production, packaging and transport by helping to reduce emissions in another place, eventually selling carbon-neutral pipes on a project-to-project basis. Hobas Australia says that it is currently Hobas Australia’s carbon-neutral pipes are helping to fight climate change

BSS provides pipe for unique purpose BSS Industrial has demonstrated that push fit pipe doesn’t have to be just for drainage, by supplying innovative company Acoustic Arts with a range of Hunter pipe with top and bottom bends. The UK-based company creates outdoor musical installations for playgrounds and schools, with the pipe becoming a perfect percussion instrument.

John Walls, owner of Acoustic Arts, visited the Bristol branch of BSS almost two years ago and quickly built up a relationship with the trade counter team. After guaranteeing stock availability and offering the option to supply direct to the workshop, BSS has continued to deliver the chosen pipes to Acoustic Arts ever since. Ian Morse, projects office manager for the south and south west, said, “Our partnership with Acoustic Arts is, of course, incredibly different to all of our

BSS Industrial – UK enquiries@bssgroup.com www.bssindustrial.co.uk Acoustic Arts – UK info@acousticarts.org.uk www.acousticarts.org.uk

BSS pipes used in percussion instruments by Acoustic Arts

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Tube Products International July 2013

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