Earth Day 2026 highlights the growing responsibility of the construction sector to reduce environmental impact and improve long-term building performance. The choices made at design and construction stages play a crucial role in how buildings perform, not just today, but for decades ahead.
At IG Lintels, sustainability is not treated as a standalone initiative. It forms part of a wider, ongoing commitment across the Keystone Group to improve environmental performance, support communities, and deliver practical solutions for the built environment.
Driving Sustainable Progress
Through our Future First approach, sustainability is considered across the full lifecycle of our products, from manufacturing through to in-use performance.
Key areas of focus include:
- Increasing the use of renewable energy across manufacturing operations
- Investing in more efficient production processes to reduce emissions
- Minimising waste through improved material use and process optimisation
- Embedding responsible sourcing and lifecycle thinking into product development
Alongside environmental priorities, there is a strong focus on delivering social value, supporting skills development, creating employment opportunities, and contributing positively to local communities.
‘Earth Day is a good reminder that the impact of construction is long term. What we design and build today will influence performance for decades, so the focus has to be on getting the fundamentals right.’ – Danielle Thorpe, Marketing Director
Find out more about the wider sustainability strategy: https://keystonegroup.co.uk/sustainability/
Supporting Communities and Skills
Sustainability also means investing in people and communities. Across the Keystone Group, this is delivered through a structured approach built around education, community, charity, and skills.
This includes:
- Supporting colleges and training providers to help develop the next generation of construction professionals
- Providing ongoing training and development opportunities for employees
- Contributing to community initiatives and local partnerships
- Supporting charitable organisations across the UK and Ireland
By taking this approach, the business is helping to address industry challenges such as skills shortages, while also creating a positive impact beyond its day-to-day operations.
Our Impact in Numbers
The scale of activity across the Keystone Group demonstrates the reach of this approach:
- 2,000+ employees across 28 locations
- £330 million turnover, enabling continued investment in innovation
- £8 million+ invested annually in research and development
- £30,000+ raised for charitable causes
- 111 patents and 35+ industry awards
Designed for Performance
Sustainable construction is not only about how products are made but also how they perform once installed.
Our Hi-Therm+ lintels are specifically developed to address key areas of heat loss within the building envelope, particularly around window and door openings where thermal bridging can significantly impact overall efficiency.
By incorporating an integrated thermal break, IG Hi-Therm+ lintels help to:
- Reduce thermal bridging at critical junctions
- Improve SAP assessment outcomes
- Maintain continuity of insulation at cavity wall openings
- Support compliance with Part L and evolving Future Homes Standard requirements
This targeted approach supports a fabric-first methodology, improving overall energy efficiency without reliance on additional systems and helping to deliver better-performing, more sustainable buildings.
🎥 See how Hi-Therm works in practice:
Find out more about Hi-therm+ here: https://iglintels.com/hi-therm-lintel/
In addition to performance, transparency is increasingly important in product specification. We have secured BRE Verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for key lintel ranges, providing independently verified data on environmental impact across the full product lifecycle.
This allows specifiers and contractors to make more informed decisions, supporting whole-life carbon assessments and more responsible material selection.
Read more here: https://iglintels.com/ig-lintels-achieves-bre-verified-epds-across-key-product-ranges/
Looking Ahead
As environmental standards continue to evolve, the construction industry must respond with solutions that balance performance, compliance, and sustainability.
IG Lintels, as part of the Keystone Group, remains focused on delivering products that meet these demands while continuing to invest in innovation, people, and long-term environmental improvement.
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