The ‘European Union Green Deal – EU Green Deal’, which was prepared by the European Union Commission and could not find a place on the agenda for a long time due to the pandemic, became law on June 24, 2021 after the surprise vote of the EU, while the carbon emissions of Europe will be reduced by 55% until 2030 with the Green Deal. and carbon emissions will be reduced to zero in 2050.
Turkish Ytong Chairman of the Board Fethi Hinginar drew attention to the important issues related to the Green Agreement law, which the EU aims to reduce the carbon emission rates within the borders of
An opportunity to transform the construction industry with an environmentally friendly approach
Adding to his words that the EU is preparing to implement an environmentally friendly production and lifestyle within its own borders, Fethi Hinginar said that the EU’s countries from which it buys goods and products are forced to have environmentally friendly production like itself, with the Green Agreement law, and that companies that do not make environmentally friendly production. He also stated that he plans to impose a carbon footprint tax on his products at customs. Hinginar continued:
“The EU will set a carbon emission limit for every product it imports. For products exceeding this limit, it is preparing to impose an additional customs duty of 55-60 Euros for each 1 ton of excess carbon emission. It is clear that this practice will adversely affect the export of building materials. It may cause the construction materials sector of our country to lose its competitive power in the EU market. The Turkish business world needs to focus on this issue regardless of the sector and take action for action plans. Although non-governmental organizations and associations have important studies that inform their members, more effective and inclusive studies are needed. On the other hand, we should see this step of the EU as an opportunity to transform the building sector with an environmentally sensitive approach in the medium and long term, and we should put the vision of being carbon neutral on our agenda.”
Türk Ytong is aware of its environmental responsibilities
“We are closely monitoring the issue from the perspective of our industry, directly through the European Aerated Concrete Association (EAACA). EAACA is ahead in this regard. For example, it recently announced its “Zero Pollution Action Plan”. With this plan, it aims to eliminate pollution by reducing air, water and soil pollution to levels that will not harm health and natural ecosystems by 2050. The “Renewal Wave Strategy” will be used to combat air pollution from buildings and improve indoor air quality. For example, it is aimed to encourage the integration of the zero pollution target with clean energy and energy efficiency targets, and to take concrete steps on issues such as the recovery and reuse of construction waste. As the Turkish Gas Concrete Producers Association, we closely follow all these developments and targets. As Türk Ytong, we are taking our steps carefully, setting new targets and setting an example for the sector as an environmentally friendly product and an institution aware of its responsibilities.”
Environmental and natural building product
The environmental feature of Ytong material is provided by the natural raw materials it contains and environmentally friendly production technology. Ytong is known all over the world as an environmentally sensitive and conscious construction material. Ytong, designed with all details in mind, from raw material acquisition to production, from processing at the construction site to its contribution to the life of the building and even the disposal of a destroyed building, adds value to buildings as an innovative product. Türk Ytong has the distinction of being the first organization in Turkey to have the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which is a globally accepted declaration detailing the environmental effects of the materials it produces.