Albion Stone the environmental choice
Albion Stone is committed to reducing the environmental impact of extracting, manufacturing and supplying Portland Stone. Our approach is supported by independently verified environmental data, responsible sourcing certification and continued investment in more efficient mining and manufacturing methods.
Responsible sourcing
Albion Stone has achieved the highest‘Excellent’ rating under BES 6001, the Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products.
BES 6001 assesses how construction products are sourced and manufactured, including organisational governance, supply chain management and environmental and social considerations. The certification provides architects, contractors and clients with independent evidence that our Portland Stone has been responsibly sourced.
Our BES 6001 certificate is available on request.
Independently verified environmental data
Albion Stone was the first stone manufacturer in England to publish an independently produced Environmental Product Declaration for natural stone in the UK.
Our Environmental Product Declaration provides independently verified information about the environmental impact of Portland Stone extracted from our mines and manufactured at our factory on the Isle of Portland.
This information allows architects and specifiers to assess embodied carbon using transparent and consistent data. It has also been used by organisations comparing the environmental impact of natural stone with alternative materials and façade systems.
Research by Make Architects used Albion Stone’s environmental data to compare the embodied carbon of different façade systems.
Reducing the carbon footprint of Portland Stone
In 2017, the carbon footprint of Portland Stone produced by Albion Stone was calculated at 140 kgCOâ‚‚e per tonne.
We set a target to reduce this figure by 75 per cent through practical changes to our mining and manufacturing operations. Our independently verified 2024 Environmental Product Declaration records a carbon footprint of 44.7 kgCOâ‚‚e per tonne, representing a 68 per cent reduction.
This reduction has been achieved through continued investment in our operations, including improvements to extraction, production efficiency and energy use.
Based on the comparable figures available in 2024, Portland Stone supplied by Albion Stone had a carbon footprint approximately 80 per cent lower than other Portland Stone suppliers.
Working towards Net Zero
Our long term objective is to achieve Net Zero across our mining and factory operations.
We are working towards this through measurable reductions in the energy and carbon associated with our own activities. Our priority is to reduce emissions at source through practical operational improvements, rather than relying on carbon offsets or assuming that future changes to the energy grid will deliver the reductions for us.
Our environmental performance and greenhouse gas emissions data are available on request.
Producing Portland Stone responsibly
Environmental performance extends beyond embodied carbon. Our approach also considers:
- Energy use within our mines and factory
- Restoration and biodiversity
- Water consumption
- Transport distances
- Material efficiency and waste reduction
- Local employment and community engagement
- Health and safety
- Skills and training
- Opportunities to recover and reuse Portland Stone
You can also read about how local sourcing can reduce transport carbon by 89% and the potential for reusing Portland Stone in future construction projects.
A lower carbon Portland Stone
As a fourth generation family business, we take a long term view of Portland Stone production. By combining generations of knowledge with modern mining and manufacturing methods, we aim to supply high quality Portland Stone while continually reducing its environmental impact.
For certificates, environmental data or support with the responsible specification of Portland Stone, contact the Albion Stone team.
As a fourth generation family business, Albion Stone takes pride in its knowledgeable and dedicated workforce. By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques, we produce Portland Stone of the highest quality while minimising our environmental impact.
