As a product

·       Jesmonite is water based and non-solvent, making these materials kinder to the environment.

·       Jesmonite is safe and easy to use and does not need specialist, protective, environmentally damaging or energy sapping equipment.

·       Jesmonite product technology is lightweight and uses less material in comparison to traditional heavyweight concrete and natural stone. For example, on a building facade Jesmonite decorative panels/elements can be manufactured at 12mm (24kg per m2), instead of 80-100mm (200kg per m2) natural stonework or precast concrete.

·       Jesmonite lightweight technology reduces the need for heavyweight lifting equipment, reduces transport costs and lowers the amount of fixings needed to support Jesmonite decorative elements.

·       Jesmonite products can be broken down and reused within new Jesmonite products, reducing the amount of waste created when working with the material.

As a business

Jesmonite is committed to prioritising the environment and committed to the future. Here’s how.

·       Jesmonite uses ingredients which are sourced through local supply chains to keep CO2 emissions and carbon footprint to a minimum.

·       Where possible Jesmonite has changed its packaging.  Instead of a plastic tub, some products are now shipped in a cardboard posting box. This is part of a global review of the manufacturing, packaging and distribution process currently being undertaken.

·       Previously, members of the Jesmonite team would travel 21,000 miles – the equivalent of 801 marathons – by car a year to hold sales and account management meetings. We are no longer doing this and will hold meetings virtually in order to save 2386 litres of fuel – for which we’d have to plant 292 trees in order to be carbon neutral.

·       As a worldwide company, previously members of the Jesmonite team would travel 81,500 miles – the equivalent of almost 3.3times around the earth’s circumference – by air a year to hold meetings. We are no longer doing this and will hold meetings virtually in order to save 18,144kg of CO2 – enough energy to boil the kettle for the equivalent of 521,739 cups of tea.

And here’s how Jesmonite is to continue its commitment to improving green credentials:

·       To reduce waste and demonstrate the commitment to protecting the environment, Jesmonite is planning to undertake ISO14001 environmental management system certification.

·       Jesmonite is determined to achieve the goal of supplying eco-friendly products across the globe and achieve carbon neutral status.

Can Jesmonite be recycled?

Jesmonite products fall into two main categories: Acrylic Modified Gypsum Composites and Acrylic Modified Cementitious Composites. When recycling Jesmonite AC730 (water based micro-concrete) you would recycle it in the same way as traditional glass reinforced concrete. When recycling Jesmonite AC100 (water-based gypsum) you would recycle it in the same way as glass reinforced plaster. Cured Jesmonite AC100 and Jesmonite AC730 can also be broken down and used as decorative fillers.[1]

The product in detail

Jesmonite pieces are made using 2 components, an acrylic polymer liquid and gypsum

·       Gypsum is a natural mineral. It is typically sourced from sedimentary rock. Its chemical composition includes water. It is very common. There is no other sulfate mineral found in more abundance on the planet. This adds to the overall sustainability of the end product. Gypsum is relatively easy to obtain through surface mining. To process gypsum for manufacturing, it must be crushed, separated and dried. It can also be processed with recycled materials.[2]

The good thing about gypsum being used in Jesmonite is that it is sourced locally and travels around 4 hours to get to Jesmonite’s production facilities. This means that there is minimal need to invest in transportation. This limits costs and environmental output.[3]

On top of all that, gypsum can be manufactured safely. Gypsum is often lauded for its green building standards, and while energy efficiency will vary from plant to plant, many of the newer facilities meet the highest standards. The gypsum in Jesmonite has a very good rating in terms of lifespan, it is highly durable and needs very little maintenance. If used properly, it can last for decades even in high-demand settings.

·       Whilst it is true that acrylic is not considered environmentally friendly, the fact that it can be employed in a way that gives Jesmonite decades of use is relevant. In Jesmonite, the acrylic base helps create a sturdy and pliable product. Therefore, while acrylic is a significant drawback of Jesmonite, it does not necessarily eradicate all of Jesmonite’s sustainable properties.[2]

[1] https://Jesmonite.com

[2] https://citizensustainable.com/jesmonite-sustainable/

[3] https://www.d-n-g-g.com/journal/how-sustainable-is-jesmonite