Wernick partners with Swansea University to understand the Life Cycle carbon emissions of modular building systems
As part of Wernick’s commitment to sustainability, Wernick Buildings is collaborating with Swansea University, to undertake a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a modular building system. The project is funded by the EPSRC Switch to Net Zero Buildings Place Based Impact Acceleration Award (PBIAA). The activity will provide a detailed evaluation of the environmental impact of modular units throughout their entire life cycle, marking a significant step towards Wernick’s goal of achieving net zero by 2040 for our customer offering.
Joanna Morgan from Swansea University is leading the project with the Wernick Buildings Research and Design Team. With her expertise in architecture and sustainability, Jo is helping to drive the assessment process, ensuring that every stage of a building’s life—from raw material extraction to end-of-life recycling—will be meticulously evaluated.
This initial study will involve evaluating the environmental impact of Wernick’s modular buildings, considering factors like:
- Assessing the carbon footprint of materials used in manufacturing.
- Investigating energy use and emissions during manufacturing.
- Improvement to production process including areas for waste reduction and maximising use of on-site renewable energy.
Future work is proposed to consider further environmental impact, such as:
- Analysing energy efficiency and carbon output during the building’s lifespan.
- Determining recycling potential and minimising waste when the building is no longer in use.
- Measuring the environmental impact of delivering modules to site.
By understanding the total environmental impact, Wernick aims to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to reduce carbon emissions within modular building systems.
Wernick’s collaboration with Swansea University on this Switch to Net Zero Buildings project is about setting new standards for the construction industry whilst addressing short-term sustainability goals. Modular buildings, with their inherent advantages in reducing waste and increasing efficiency, have the potential to lead the way in greener construction. This PBIAA project will help refine and enhance those benefits, creating data-driven solutions for the future.
Project outcomes will support Wernick’s carbon reduction plan and aid their goal to reach net zero by 2040. By taking this scientific approach, Wernick and Swansea University are contributing to the development of circular economy practices within the construction industry, reducing waste, and maximising resource efficiency.
The project also offers the opportunity to develop a holistic solution for capturing carbon from design through to procurement and assembly, using a unified system and one that could be adopted by all modular building manufacturers in the long term.
Through this project, Wernick, a company embedded in the Swansea Bay City Region, will become a pathfinder for the UK modular sector, leading the way in understanding and proving whole life carbon benefits of modular buildings. The outcomes, which include robust reporting methods for carbon emissions of modular buildings, will also benefit client organisations in the region as they strive to achieve their net zero carbon goals.
