How UBQ Supports the Building & Construction Industry obtaining  LEED and BREEAM Certifications

Key Takeaways:

• Certifications like LEED and BREEAM are essential for demonstrating a building’s sustainability, enhancing credibility, increasing marketability, and sometimes even lowering operational costs.
• UBQ Materials helps clients achieve LEED and BREEAM certification goals by reducing embodied carbon, promoting circular economy principles, and providing sustainable material alternatives.
• UBQ supports multiple certification categories, including Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Waste Reduction, and Innovation.
• By integrating UBQ™, manufacturers and developers can improve their sustainability performance while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Stricter regulations in the European Union (EU) and The Netherlands (NL)  are accelerating the transition toward sustainable practices, creating an increasing demand for innovative solutions. By viewing regulations as opportunities, UBQ can establish itself as a key player in sustainable construction—helping clients meet compliance requirements while advancing a more responsible built environment.

The building and construction sector is responsible for 37% of global emissions, with 11% coming from materials and manufacturing. Addressing this impact is crucial for creating a more sustainable future. UBQ Materials provides an innovative, climate-positive material that not only reduces embodied carbon but also  supports compliance and projects that meet sustainability certification requirements, such as LEED and BREEAM.

The Role of Sustainability Certifications in the Building & Construction Industry

Sustainability certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) have become a necessity in the modern building and construction landscape. These certifications validate a project’s commitment to environmental responsibility, reducing carbon footprints, and ensuring energy efficiency.

Why Certifications Matter

• Market value and competitiveness – Certified Buildings often demand higher rents and sales prices, enhancing their market appeal.
• Operational savings – LEED certified buildings, for example, consume on average 25% less energy and 11% less water, leading to significant cost reductions.
• Health and well-being – Certified buildings help ensure improved indoor air quality, resulting in better occupant health,  comfort, and productivity.
• Regulatory compliance – As regulations increasingly target embodied carbon reduction, certified projects position themselves ahead of the curve.

Comparing LEED and BREEAM

While Both LEED and BREEAM assess the sustainability of buildings, they differ in their areas of focus:

How UBQ Contributes to LEED and BREEAM Ratings

1. Materials & Resources (LEED) / Materials (BREEAM)

UBQ’s Contribution:

• UBQ holds a UL 2809 certification for recycled content and material transparency.
• Sustainable material sourcing – Supports responsible sourcing requirements.
• Circular economy benefits – By using UBQ™, developers and manufacturers promote closed-loop material use, reducing waste and reliance on virgin resources.

Application Areas:

• Pipes and fittings
• Flooring
• Roofing
• Insulation

2. Indoor Environmental Quality (LEED) / Health & Well-being (BREEAM)

UBQ’s Contribution:

• Sustainable building materials – UBQ™ helps improve indoor air quality by minimizing harmful VOC and SVOC emissions.

Application Areas:

• Flooring
• Insulation

3. Waste Reduction (LEED & BREEAM)

UBQ’s Contribution:

• Reduction of organic waste – UBQ™ diverts waste from landfills and incinerations, significantly reducing overall material disposal.
• Minimizes production waste – UBQ’s process ensures that nothing goes to waste, supporting zero-waste goals.

Application Areas:

• All building applications

4. Innovation (LEED & BREEAM)

UBQ’s Contribution:

• Advanced sustainability technology – UBQ™ introduces an innovative approach to material circularity, transforming waste into valuable resources.
• Climate-positive impact – By incorporating UBQ™,  projects can earn additional  innovation points for significant carbon reduction.

Application Areas:

• 3D printing for construction
• Circular product manufacturing

5. Management (BREEAM)

UBQ’s Contribution:

• Lifecycle assessment support – UBQ™ facilitates a data-driven approach to tracking material impact throughout its lifecycle.
• Sustainable supply chain integration – UBQ promotes responsible sourcing, ensuring sustainability is embedded across production processes.

Application Areas:

• All building applications

Why UBQ is the Ideal Choice for Sustainable Building Projects

• Measurable Carbon Impact: UBQ™ reduces the carbon footprint of materials by up to 1.02 kg CO2eq per kg of material (depending on the % of material used), directly supporting LEED and BREEAM carbon reduction goals.
• Regulatory Compliance: UBQ™ helps companies and projects meet emerging embodied carbon regulations emerging in markets like California and Netherlands.
• Immediate Sustainability Gains: Unlike future sustainability pledges, UBQ™ enables immediate improvements in environmental impact today.

By incorporating UBQ™ into building materials, developers, architects, project managers, and manufacturers can boost their green certification scores, reduce emissions, and contribute to a circular economy without compromising performance or cost-effectiveness.