Raised Floor in Carbon Neutral building

According to the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction by UNEP, the building sector is responsible for approximately 37% of global CO2 emissions and 36% of global energy consumption. Emissions in the construction sector mainly come from two sources: Operational Carbon (OC), related to the functioning of the building, and Embodied Carbon (EC), incorporated in construction materials. To achieve the carbon neutrality goals set for 2050 by the European Green Deal, it is essential to adopt innovative and sustainable solutions.

To tackle the climate crisis, the building sector has set ambitious targets:

By 2030: reduction of operational emissions (OC) to zero for new buildings and 40% reduction of embedded emissions (EC).
By 2050: all buildings should be carbon neutral.

In this context, the raised floor is a particularly effective solution for reducing embedded emissions (EC), thanks to recycled materials (e.g. recovered calcium sulphate, recycled steel) and production processes supported by renewable sources. Its modularity also allows for easy disassembly and reuse, minimising waste production and limiting end-of-life emissions. In a circular economy perspective, the raised floor thus becomes a key element in reducing the environmental impact of buildings.

Nesite flooring, sustainable from production to disposal (and beyond)

The life cycle of a raised floor follows the same subdivision used for buildings, in compliance with EN 15804 and ISO 14040/44 standards, with phases A1-A3 (production), A4-A5 (transport and installation), B1-B7 (use and maintenance), C1-C4 (end of life), and D (benefits beyond the life cycle).

Production (A1-A3): includes raw material extraction, processing, and transport. The use of recycled materials (calcium sulfate, steel, eco-friendly coatings) combined with low-impact processes, such as 70% clean energy use in our case, significantly reduces emissions in this phase.
Transport and construction (A4-A5): by optimising transport and favouring local suppliers, logistics-related emissions are reduced. In this direction, Nesite integrates in its offer the services of the TranspackGroup o which it belongs, a reference reality in the sector of packaging and industrial logistics.
Use and maintenance (B1-B7): the raised floor, being a passive element, neither consumes operational energy (B6) nor requires water consumption (B7). In addition, its modularity greatly facilitates maintenance work, avoiding invasive interventions.
End of life (C1-C4): while building demolition generates significant emissions, the raised floor can be dismantled and reused, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Beyond life cycle (D1-D3): the possibility of recycling materials for new buildings and offsetting emissions through sustainable practices makes the raised floor a strategic solution in a circular economy perspective.

The Importance of Environmental Certifications

Per gTo ensure its contribution to decarbonization, raised flooring can obtain or contribute to various environmental certifications:

EPD (Environmental Product Declaration), which assesses environmental impact throughout the product life cycle.
Cradle to Cradle (C2C), which certifies material recyclability and safety.
LEED and BREEAM, through credit contributions for sustainable buildings.
CAM (Minimum Environmental Criteria – Italy), ensuring compliance with sustainable public procurement.

All Nesite systems have been evaluated according to EPD declaration parameters, while the Sustainability Brochure provides the performance of our solutions in terms of LEED, BREEAM, and CAM. To consult the documents, click here.

Conclusions

In summary, choosing Nesite raised flooring means investing in an innovative and responsible solution that offers concrete benefits for the sustainable development of construction through:

Reduction of Embodied Carbon (EC) thanks to the use of recycled materials and optimized production processes.
No operational impact during usage phases (B6, B7).
Modularity that facilitates reuse and recycling, limiting waste production.
Contribution to the development of sustainable construction, ideal for low environmental impact buildings.