Dura Products, a UK-based construction company specialised in the manufacture of sustainable road kerbs and drainage solutions made with recycled polymers, can look back on its most successful business year ever. In 2022, the company sold over 100,000 units - over 50km - of Durakerb and Duradrain, an increase of close to 70% over the year before. This follows on from a sustained period of growth in 2020, during which the business grew by over 60%.
The built environment currently accounts for around 33% of carbon emissions in the UK. Dura Products’ kerb and drainage units were in strong demand, fuelled by the construction sector’s growing awareness of the need for fundamental changes in building practices and products, if the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is to be achieved.
Calling itself a pioneer in green construction, the company produces a lightweight , fully recyclable product range with a high level of recycled content that requires little energy use during transportation and installation.
This year saw the completion of various innovative projects in the UK, such as the McDonald’s drive-thru in Market Drayton, Shropshire, the UK’s first net zero restaurant, where more than 500 metres of Durakerb was supplied around the drive-thru and customer parking areas.
In addition, 2,680 metres of Duradrain was installed by UK infrastructure contractor, Colas, for its latest highways project on the A46 at Stoneleigh, reducing scope 3 Co2e emissions by over 82,000kg.
Dura Products continues to expand its activities in and outside of the UK. The company has to date supplied its Duradrain product - which comprises 70% recycled material in every 500mm unit - to 12 countries including the UK and Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Romania. Projects range from the biggest single infrastructural investment ever undertaken in County Mayo, Ireland to a safe cycle lane running adjacent to a key stretch of road in Landgraaf, the Netherlands.
The company’s expansion across Europe is a result of its strategic investment in its overseas facilities and partnerships to meet demand. A partnership with MY Plast, a specialist high-tech manufacturer operating in Romania, has expanded the ability to produce, stock and deliver the combined kerb and drainage system across mainland Europe and Ireland. Today, 50% of Dura Products sales are generated within the EU. MY Plast’s centrally located factory means the company is well-positioned to support new projects within Europe and further afield.
In addition to these production facilities in Romania, the company is working with stockists in six European countries – the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Hungary and Romania – and thus honouring its long-term goal of holding more stock locally to reduce the emissions generated during transportation.
“There has been a noticeable shift towards green construction over the past few years and this has been reflected in sales of our sustainable solutions,” said Steve Bennett, Managing Director of Dura Products. He said that helping the global construction industry to lower its environmental footprint has always been our ambition, and ‘it’s great to see it come to fruition’ - in a sustainable way – by minimising emissions generated by transportation.
“We are very much looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings,” he concluded.