Wates has launched an online marketplace that will connect companies free of charge with partners who can offer solutions to help meet sustainability targets.
The Wates Innovation Network (WIN) portal aims to accelerate construction’s transition to net zero by showcasing smarter solutions to design, build and maintain buildings.
The marketplace currently features 42 innovation partners approved by a screening panel including 40 environmental experts. Between them, they offer solutions ranging from systems to improve energy efficiency to circular economy office furniture.
Wates, which has committed to eliminating waste and carbon from its own operations by 2025, has been working to connect businesses with tech-led innovations for eight years through its Wates Sustainable Technology Services (WSTS). Organisations, including Barings, Merseyside Police, Standard Chartered Bank Plc and the Wates Group itself, have previously used the innovation network to source technologies, improve efficiencies, and develop new climate pledges.
Wates said the new online portal would streamline this process with a more “dynamic and efficient” customer experience. Wates also intends to use the portal as a means of expanding the current marketplace of green technologies which can be used within the built environment.
In November 2020, Wates joined forces with Energy Specifics to deliver a zero-carbon retrofitting service for social housing landlords, which will deploy technologies from WIN to help local authorities and housing associations to prepare their housing stock to meet zero carbon obligations.
John Dunne, group health, safety, environment and quality director at Wates Group, said: “The market for sustainable solutions is expanding fast and companies who are not investing in innovations will soon be unable to compete. The issue is 95% of market ready sustainable technologies never get considered because key decision makers do not know they exist, or suppliers don’t have access to the key corporate decision makers. The WIN portal is bridging that gap, showcasing innovation and helping businesses to meet bold environmental targets.”
