“Critically, many industries will start paying for carbon emissions by 2014. If they don’t act now, they will be pushed to pay higher prices in a tougher demand driven market.” said Carvalho.

Europontex Urges Industry To Go Green On Carbon Reduction, For A Brighter 2011

“Environmental legislation is pushing strongly ahead, and the industry needs to respond quickly or face financial penalties for greenhouse gas pollution,” said Europontex Business Division Manager, Pedro Carvalho. As buyers prepare for 2011, Europontex is encouraging clients to invest in years of sunshine.

Carvalho remarked: “Most integrated producers persist in opposing the almost inevitable new legislation which will govern the sector, but others, though not ignoring the need for effective lobbying, are forging a new path to prosperity in with a strategic view of new ‘green’ opportunities.”

“Critically, many industries will start paying for carbon emissions by 2014. If they don’t act now, they will be pushed to pay higher prices in a tougher demand driven market. Companies should, at a minimum, consider installing solar panel in 2011 for peripheral energy needs, though Europontex can actually supply solutions for the full energy needs of most businesses.”

“The installation of solar panels should not be considered as a core part of your corporate energy strategy, and as part of your overall carbon reduction plan. Firms must consider the capture of solar energy not just as a purchased product, but as a resaleable product. Firms should investigate the resupply of solar energy to their national electricity grid as part of the carbon ‘Cap and Trade’ programme.”

“In terms of product innovation, solar panels now have the credentials to be added to your overall product portfolio as an incentive for added value. For example, if your firms is selling to the construction sector, integrate solar panels as part of the overall steel package, providing a one-stop solution for steel structures and energy solutions; and invest in solar panels for peripheral energy needs, for your office management, lighting and heat conversion applications.”

“Conversion statistics point to a return on investment, at today's energy prices, of 8-12 years. Compared against anticipated increases in energy costs, there is a strategic advantage in which you are locking in future energy prices at a fixed rate. Together with the depreciating cost of solar installation over the lifespan of the solar panels, this is clearly a very positive expression of ‘investing to save’, especially as the lifespan of solar panels is usually 25 years.”

Earlier this year, Europontex, the global construction supplier, launched a new, innovative sandwich panel, designed to incorporate thin photovoltaic cells. It’s part of a new range of environmentally sustainable solutions which will be dramatically extended in 2011.

“Our best-selling product in this category,” said Carvalho, “is a cladding sandwich panel, designed to incorporate thin photovoltaic cells. It is a system which differs from traditional solar panel solutions already on the market; effectively it is two products in one, offering both the structural element for cladding and the solar energy efficiency providing 1000V/sqm (STC)."

"Made from pre-painted sandwich foam polyurethane (PUR) panel, it is has been available in various thicknesses. Europontex is also licensed to produce the panel in PIR foam.”

“As we prepare for 2011, Europontex is focused on a new generation of ECO products. We are strongly integrated in the environmental sector, and our expertise within the steel industry, for example, has given us additional leverage and insight, especially in rapidly developing markets such as Brazil.”

He added: “We are now encouraging our clients not just to order new products, but to discuss their supply needs with our representative, because we are sure we have many cost-saving, energy incentivised products which many companies have only just begun to consider as important, but which are soon to be crucial to cost reduction and for regulatory compliance – with both these issues, Europontex can help.”

Contact:

Pedro Carvalho, Europontex Raw Materials Division Manager 

Email: pedro@europontex.com

Phone: +351 21 762 12 12

For more information, visit: www.europontex.com