Engarde Is Reducing Its Carbon Footprint by Shifting to Renewable Energy Sources

Many companies are finding new ways to renovate their buildings to be eco-friendlier. One of the biggest changes they are making is revamping their buildings to use renewable energy. There is actually a huge intersection between sustainable construction and renewable energy.

Companies around the world are projected to spend over $1 trillion on renewable energy by 2027. Many of them are investing heavily already.

Retrofitting a building to be eco-friendlier and rely more on renewable energy isn’t easy. However, it can have huge benefits that will benefit the company for years to come. These companies will save money on energy and have an easier time appealing to customers that care about sustainability. They will also appreciate that they are doing their part to help the planet.

EnGarde is one of the companies that has recently modified its buildings to rely on renewable energy. These changes are going to have huge benefits for years to come.

EnGarde Makes Major Changes to Make Its Buildings Greener – Including Using Renewable Energy

Industries across the world are beginning to find more sustainable ways of manufacturing and this includes the body armor industry. EnGarde is joining the bandwagon, reducing its carbon footprint by switching to renewable energy sources. The company is aggressively taking steps to eventually become carbon neutral and make its buildings eco-friendly.

Located in the Netherlands, EnGarde manufacturers a full range of ballistic vests and other types of body armor that protect customers across the world. EnGarde was founded in 2003 with a mission to safeguard the lives of those who take jobs defending the rights and lives of others.

Carbon Neutral is the Goal

EnGarde is now using sustainable sources of energy to power its office and warehouse and has more than enough to meet its needs. Plans are now being made to completely cover the building’s roof with solar panels, which will generate all necessary electricity.

Furthermore, there are two plants near EnGarde that provide heating for its office and warehouse. These are the Alkmaar BioEnergy Plant (incinerates wood waste that contains glue or paint) and the Waste Incineration Plant. The heat released from these plants produces electricity, which in turn feeds into the district’s heating system. Since EnGarde is within the district, its office and warehouse benefit.

Environmental Benefits

EnGarde is also helping the environment by increasing the durability of its body armor products, which makes their ballistic vests last much longer. When the lifespan of their products is increased, this lowers the demand for the raw materials that go into manufacturing them, while also reduces waste.

Managing Partner of EnGarde, Iwan Luiten offered his insight, “Most ballistic vests being sold globally come with a five-year warranty. This means they have enough wear and tear to require replacement at that time.” He went on to explain, “EnGarde products come with at least a seven-year warranty and some products even come with a ten-year warranty.”

When someone buys a vest with a five-year warranty, they would need to buy two as opposed to just one EnGarde vest with a ten-year warranty. “It may be more profitable for the manufacturer to make a lower-quality product with a five-year warranty,” Mr. Luiten said, “but it definitely doesn’t help the environment much.”

Sustainable Partners

In addition to using these methods to reduce the company’s environmental impact, EnGarde’s actual products also play a role. The materials used to make EnGarde’s ballistic products primarily come from DSM Dyneema and Teijin Aramid. These companies in recent years have made huge strides in lowering their carbon footprints.

Eighty percent of the products made by EnGarde use DSM Dyneema, whose factories are primarily run with solar power. The company is also implementing ways to minimize packaging and waste. They have also developed a Bio-Based Dyneema, created from a biologically based raw material that lowers CO2 emissions.

Teijin Aramid is busy pursuing its own sustainability goals by implementing their Circular Economy Program that actively promotes waste reduction and recycling. In 2021, the company announced plans to build what they call “sustainable value chain alliances” for the purpose of recycling and reusing all ballistic products, minimizing waste.