Cover Story: Landguard Point

Promoting Greener Construction

Landguard Point supplies timber and pioneering eco-friendly alternatives to the UK construction industry that point the way to a greener future – this now includes its Rebo Bamboo Division.

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t the end of last year, the UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Timber and forests played an important part in the summit’s discussions, with deforestation playing a significant part in mitigation plans against global warming. Timber offers a natural sink for carbon emissions whilst also emitting oxygen to the atmosphere. This means sustainable practice is of inherent importance globally. Fortunately, in Europe we are already conscious of this, and have the practices and commissions in place to ensure we operate in a sustainable manner.

FSC and PEFC are organisations in place managing the chain of custody of timber products globally, meaning there are traceable chains from the beginning to end, meaning these practices can be monitored and maintained effectively. However, as an industry this does not mean innovation and exploration for change should be disregarded.

Landguard Point, a leading UK timber importing company are pioneering the introduction of bamboo products as an alternative to traditional timbers imported to the UK. They have partnered with Rebo Bamboo, a company based in China who through their innovation, have developed methods allowing bamboo to become a genuine alternative to many timber products on the market.

They have developed carbonisation procedures, which involves heating up the natural product. This process enhances natural characteristics, whilst also introducing elements such

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as hardness and durability, anti-flammable properties and corrosive resistance. Not only do these highly important and desirable benefits emerge from the process, but also the ability to produce an elegant and attractive product. Meaning it can play an important role in both commercial and domestic design in many ways.

However, it is bamboo in its natural form which is of interest in the fight against climate change. Bamboo has one big difference to timber products. Where timber products are derived from tree species, bamboo is of the grass family. Grasses offer much faster growing rates, with some species potentially growing up to a metre daily. This not only means that it is highly regenerative, but also offers huge potential as a carbon sink. One study estimates that a one-hectare plantation of bamboo and its products could store over 306 tonnes of carbon over a 60-year period compared with 178 tonnes for softwood tree species. A 42% difference in absorption rates. By using bamboo we can help in the fight against climate change. As well as absorbing and storing carbon, bamboo products can ‘avoid’ the carbon produced by more emissionsintensive materials. Research conducted on European industrial bamboo products, such as cladding, flooring and beams, has shown that they have a low or even negative ecocost, over the course of their lifecycle, outperforming even FSC-certified hardwoods, and can be used as replacements for steel and concrete. This durability is critical to realising bamboo’s carbon storage potential, according to researcher Pablo van der

Lugt, saying: “As the interest in a bio-based, low-carbon economy grows, we are seeing new opportunities open up for engineered bamboo products to substitute high-carbon, abiotic alternatives – and not just for architectural solutions indoors and outdoors, but also new heavy-duty applications.”

In 2020 Landguard Point introduced decking and cladding options to the merchant market, with beams and boards following in 2021. Initial customer interactions have found interest in the domestic market used for renovation and landscaping projects. Throughout 2022 Landguard Point hope to enter the commercial and construction markets, as awareness and knowledge of the benefits of bamboo can play in UK developments.

Our future is at important crossroads, where our considerations and choices now play integral roles in what happens in the years and decades to come. It is also important to reflect on existing efforts made within the industry. Landguard Point Ltd as well as many other importers and suppliers throughout the UK operate in sustainably. FSC, PEFC and other organisations ensure all timber is traceable. Yearly audits and spot checks allow control of these measures to be regulated and monitored. The FSC network alone certifies over 230 million hectares of forests around the world. These organisations are critical and essential parts of ensuring a sustainable future for our industry and that ‘Forests for all Forever.”

Using timber in construction, often in conjunction with steel, is an alternative that can be implemented now. Used in construction for centuries, well designed buildings using timber have much lower embodied carbon. In addition, timber acts as a carbon store because trees absorb a significant amount of carbon as they grow and store it for the life of the material. The longer the timber is in use, the greater the environmental benefit of storing the carbon. Therefore, selecting high quality solutions and designing the building to last is important to maximise the impact.

Landguard Point has set up reputable supply networks throughout Europe ensuring all sawmills and suppliers follow strict protocols in their operations and co-operation with the FLEGT Action plan. Many of these relationships have been established for over a decade, designed around basic principles of sustainability and ethical practice.

TRUSTED TRUSTED BRITISH TIMBER IMPORTER BRITISH TIMBER IMPORTER All products are available certified, such as graded carcassing, roofing battens, agricultural products and sawn landscaping products. Recent years have seen Landguard Point establish themselves as significant importers within the UK timber market. This is evident within the construction timber market, with many of the UK’s largest merchants with open accounts with the company. Landguard Point have recently become a category 1 sponsor of MRUK (master roofers). This is an organisation dedicated to improving the standard of roofing over the country by offering high level training and education, skill developing and certification, Key skill resources and support as well as relevant information for new developments, legislation and changes to policy. Landguard recognise this is a key organisation for the industry, as tradesmen in all fields play integral roles in the timber industry and construction sectors sustainability and future. The last two years have seen difficult times for everyone. This was especially the case for those involved in the timber sector. Product availability, price fluctuations, transport difficulties and the challenges and issues caused by Covid-19 with staff and operation management all caused problems. However, through these hard times the timber industry finds itself in a stronger position than ever. This is due to the efforts, communication and togetherness by all involved in the supply chain from the forest to the building site. 2022 offers a year of change and growth for many businesses, with Landguard Point looking to expand this year. Plans are in place for new facilities, operations and staff development, allowing the company to continue to reach their growth targets and ensure their position in the market for many years to come. More at  www.landguardpoint.co.uk

“Landguard Point, a leading UK timber importing company are pioneering the introduction of bamboo products as an alternative to traditional timbers imported to the UK.”