No self-respecting company report is complete without covering sustainability, the circular economy, wellbeing and the environment, which have different connotations for different businesses and are promoted to varying extents over the course of their lives.

The fact that this has become a “mature” issue can be seen in the need and, indeed, the will of companies to meet the requirements of ESG “certification” (Environmental, Social and Governance), since those companies who are attuned to these worlds are destined to have a more productive future and be more attractive to financial backers.

So, by sustainable finance we mean finance that supports the capital and investments of businesses with future-proof projects, especially from an environmental point of view. This is a practice aimed at investing to develop production processes, in addition to funding research into raw materials and end-of-life disposal of products, with the upstream decision process generally focusing on protecting the planet.

The cornerstones of sustainable finance

There are three factors taken into consideration, into which the tangible application of sustainable development can be narrowed down.

• Environmental factors: these include issues like the need to promote greener, more energy-efficient production processes. They very much hinge on the themes of circular economy and zero-emission activities, as well as on preventing pollution and protecting biodiversity.
• Social factors: these focus more on reducing inequality and on developing an inclusive system, one that is pro-human rights, in addition to investing in training and in the wellbeing of communities.
• Governance factors: these ensure that both environmental and social factors are included in the company‘s decision-making processes.

TeMa and sustainability

TeMa Technologies and Materials has long been a believer in using sustainable materials and creating sustainable solutions, even in the building and geotechnical fields.

Reinforced soil projects, on both a small and large scale, are a case in point: the technique of using soil as a retaining material, instead of concrete, certainly makes the structure more environmentally friendly, providing benefits in terms of both the landscape and liveability (they often double as noise barriers, click here for more information).

We provide 30-plus years of experience in the development of geogrids and geomembranes supplied in rolls, which are easy to carry to even the most inaccessible sites, and are ideally suited to the construction of landfills, tunnels, roads, reinforced soil projects and drainage ditches.

In addition to the many advantages in terms of construction, they come with the no small benefit of energy savings and the reduction in air pollution achieved when using geomembranes instead of traditional gravel: in terms of transport alone, the number of trips (trucks) drops from 100 to 1.

Out of our many past projects, one standout would have to be the track of a race course in Johannesburg, in South Africa.

In addition, TeMa supplies sustainable products like natural fibre matting — made from materials such as jute, straw, coconut and cellulose — that are particularly well suited to surface erosion control on grass slopes.

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Over our 30 years in the business, TeMa Technologies and Materials has interfaced with numerous entities, has broadened its product range and, above all, has researched and come up with solutions that cater to the technical, business and logistical requirements of a fast-evolving market. TeMa’s allure lies in our close relationship with designers and operators, being there to provide support and spearheading training and ongoing learning.

So, while competition is strong, here at TeMa we respond to the challenge with professional growth, specialization and refresher training. The new developments and the skills that put us in a position to tackle challenges, site after site, project after project, are all part of our end customer focused approach.

We’re all convinced that sound technical learning can make all the difference when it comes to the success of even the most ambitious projects, which is why we expect our in-house personnel to engage with this learning, and why we also offer training to all the people choosing our solutions each day.

We offer monthly webinars and in-person meetings during which we explore the issues to be dealt with in each specific field, along with legislative aspects and technical aspects, above all leveraging practical examples, because hands-on experience promotes learning.

The meetings, which are almost invariably accredited, last anything from a few hours to a whole day, allowing attendees to explore the subjects in depth, ask questions and seek clarification from our experts.

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It’s therefore important to work with institutes that have weathering test equipment and expertise in testing services for the building materials industry, for residential and commercial construction.

Why it’s important to test solutions

Each company like ours aims to meet the expectations of those who choose it and, of course, to comply with all applicable regulations. Testing the solutions we provide allows us to guarantee performance also under critical conditions, offering our customers cutting-edge products, and to support designers in planning and installers during the installation stage. As for innovation, our customers’ expectations are always very high: indeed, dozens of new products are being tested and waiting to be introduced into the market.

The tag-line of the specialised divisions of TeMa is ‘Solution’ and, to be true to this requirement, a product must meet a series of specifications of on-site competitiveness, service effectiveness and a long life.

The tests involve special equipment for testing durability, compressive and tensile strength, drainage capacity and mechanical protection, ventilation and vapour diffusion performance, thermal and corrosion resistance… as well as many other functions viewable here.

This is all achieved as a result of the close connections between our Technical Department, where market demands are examined and possible solutions studied, and Labs, where tests are carried out to check performance and guarantee performance parameters. By working with accredited independent external labs for testing procedures, we can improve throughout all stages of the production process.

Our certifications

CE marking is featured on all product lines in our catalogue, in compliance with the CPD (Construction Product Directive) 89/106/CEE. The pursuit of excellence has led us to implement a certified quality system, UNI EN 3001:2000, which ensures performance levels throughout production. We also hold various international patents.

Activities at TeMa labs

• Raw material testing: we check the quality of raw materials.
• Support for R&D: our solutions are the result of continuous research into market requirements and constant improvements.
• Supervision and monitoring of production processes: we check that production processes comply with standards and the studies undertaken.
• Quality and performance testing of end products and prototypes: tests to check performance, initially of prototypes followed by end products.
• Spot tests on production batches and conformity checks: on end products and by testing application solutions.
• Quality control: we check that products meet the standards of individual countries and the required performance.
• Drafting and updating of product data sheets: each product has its own data sheet, promptly updated, with technical data indicating its performance.
• Certifications: those required for each country in which we operate and the environmental certifications to be guaranteed for our customers.

Find out more on the  dedicated page of our website.

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What is EPD and what is analysed to obtain it?

The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a document that provides specific data on the life cycle of products or a service. It measures the impacts that the production and life phases of a product have on the environment by means of a Life Cycle Assessment to determine the consumption of resources such as water, materials and energy.

It is voluntary and verified by the independent third party SGS so that certified declarations can be given to clients.

International acknowledgement

The EPD document is internationally acknowledged, as it complies with ISO standards. This ensures use, credibility and stability over time, making the data collected available for use in any type of environmental management system and providing information for environmental certification protocols for buildings and infrastructures.

Which product lines from TeMa Building Solutions are EPD certified?

The products having obtained EPD certification are:

• the studded membrane line, which includes Membrana Nera, Membrana Nera Geo, T-Kone, Tefond, HDD, TM and MD;
• the monofilament drainage line comprising Q-Drain C and Q-Drain ZW;
• the anti-erosion and reinforcement geomat line, which includes K-Mat and X-Grid AM.

Our certificates can always be consulted by clicking here and entering TeMa in the filters.

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We will be attending with ourTeMa Geo Solutions division, specialized in developing innovative technologies and products for protection, maintenance, retention, reinforcement and drainage in environmental works.

We have achieved these goals because since 1993, when TeMa was established, geosynthetic products have been our targeted approach to geotechnical and environmental applications. At a time when there was little talk of ecosystems, we developed considerable experience in this field, deploying new technologies and finding crucial improvements in terms of durability and less invasive intervention works using geosynthetic products.

The many fields of application range from the most important functions to be addressed in the fields of geotechnical engineering, reinforced earth structures and reinforced soil, to name but a few. They are highly impressive in the fields of hillside agriculture and the urban regeneration of small villages: drainage and filtration for landfills and contaminated sites; roads, railways and other transport applications; rainwater management.

What will TeMa Geo Solutions explore?

The focus is on geosynthetic products and the aspects that make them versatile, high-performance and innovative in geotechnical engineering applications. In particular, we will be focusing on TeMa Geo Solutions technologies for:

• removing seepage water using drainage geocomposites bonded with a nonwoven geotextile;
• reinforcement and stabilization with geogrids;
• the drainage capacity for the cap, bottom and sides of landfills with geonets;
• erosion control and drainage with geomats.

Our technicians will be available to provide catalogues and data sheets with performance details.

To learn more: https://www.temacorporation.com/geo-applications/

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Our company operates worldwide, we have branches in practically all continents and the concept of ‘internationalisation’ is our daily bread. We have always worked in contact with different people and cultures and have no difficulty in approaching them: it comes naturally to us!

We are therefore delighted to have been awarded BEE certification for our TeMa South Africa division.

What is it and how does it work?

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, or B-BBEE, is a South African government initiative that encourages businesses to integrate more black citizens into all jobs, from employees to entrepreneurs, and reduce inequality in income.

The assessment is made based on 5 parameters:

1. Ownership: voting rights and shareholding in the company
2. Management control: members in management roles and voting rights with control over the board of directors
3. Skills development: learning opportunities for developing new skills
4. Enterprise development: support and development of small businesses run by black people
5. Socio-economic development: corporate investment in economic and social initiatives.

Each parameter is assigned a value that creates the final percentage score, which is used to assign the category level. There are 8 of them, proceeding in descending order: 1 is the level with the highest score, 8 with the lowest score.

TeMa South Africa has been assessed by the EmpowerBEE certification agency and is a certified collaborator at Level 3 – 110% procurement recognition level.

We aim to improve further in order to reach the highest level.

Click here to find out more.

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We are experiencing a period in which the issue of energy sources has escalated on a global scale, challenging the plans and forecasts of organisations.

Events have led to a pressing need to ensure that this particularly heartfelt situation, occurring in February 2022, is high on the agenda not only for governments but also for all businesses and families. So, we want to dedicate a few lines to it.

The ‘value’ of energy saving

Everyone knows that by ‘saving energy’ they can reduce energy consumption through all their actions and habits. By re-assessing their production and logistical processes and implementing appropriate technologies, businesses can strive to achieve minimum waste. In doing so, everyone can play their part to protect the planet, which is already somewhat damaged by the serious problems caused by climate change.

Small everyday gestures trigger cultural processes that lead to actions on a larger scale, as in the case of companies. Not out of obligation, but because it starts to be worthwhile… And it’s a real value.

How to pursue the value of sustainability

As previously mentioned, the first step must be taken by those who succeed in changing their habits and choices in order to contribute to this sustainable model, so that everyone can effectively influence decision-makers.

Nowadays, being sustainable means not wasting, not consuming energy unnecessarily by adopting methods and systems that enhance this commitment to sustainability.

Today, TeMa is acknowledged globally for having introduced, since starting out 30 years ago, geomats, geonets, geomembranes and ultra-technological products to retain and protect the soil, reinforcing it and restoring its retention power. Part of the materials used to make them comes from recycled plastic. This process takes place at two of the company’s own recovery plants in Europe. In the most vulnerable environmental situations, TeMa has now put in place biomats and bionets that help the revegetation of areas in the most natural way.

Needless to say, sustainability must be developed by using renewable energy sources that do not pollute the environment.

About 50% of the energy we use in our production processes comes from renewable sources: the IWIS Group, our partner, has three photovoltaic plants: 200 kWp, 150 kWp and 100 kWp.
It is also equipped with a co-generator that can produce an additional 800 kWp. This plant uses the heat naturally discharged by the plants to increase the efficiency of electricity production. The aim is to reduce the Carbon Footprintand CO2emissions.

TeMa Technologies and Materials was founded thirty years ago with a focus on sustainability and research. We will continue at this pace, always improving. After all, it’s our job to find solutions.

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