Sustainable solutions

Our Sustainable Solutions initiatives focus on both how we make and package our products, and the positive impact they have socially and environmentally.

Increasingly demanding building codes/standards and net zero goals will drive increased demand for more energy efficient windows and doors in both new build and retrofit. The transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy will also increase demand for energy saving seals, thermally insulated roof hatches and adaptation solutions such as extreme weather protection products. Tyman’s security products are proven to reduce community crime rates, prevent injury through fall prevention devices and promote more inclusive living for disadvantaged / vulnerable groups in residential care and the home through easy to operate window hardware for elderly and disabled users.

We are developing a deeper understanding of the lifecycle environmental impacts of our products and have competed our first environmental product label through the C2C certification process for foam and brush pile seals. Going forward we will work to increase the recycled content of the materials going into our products and seek to eliminate hazardous substances and processes adopted by our supply chain. This activity will be informed by our work on developing a Science Based Target and working with our trade partners/associations.

The Group has commenced work to develop more sustainable packaging solutions (renewable or full recyclable) and avoid single use plastics where possible. Where single use plastics are unavoidable we will look to source plastics with the highest levels of recycled content and which can be recycled or composted via arrangements that are widely available. This work will apply to both new product development and existing products ranges as we seek to transition to 100% sustainable packaging by 2026.

We aim to increase year-on-year the % revenues from products that positively contribute to the UN SDGs. Tyman’s Sustainable solutions pillar leads to the following contributions under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG	Target	Our planned contribution
	Target 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency	Products that save energy by reducing thermal losses in buildings such as Q-Lon window seals and thermally insulated roof hatches (climate change mitigation)
	Target 13.1 Strengthen resilience to adaptive capacity to climate-related natural disasters	Severe weather protection solutions such as high strength multi-point hinged patio door locks and roof hatches for hurricane vulnerable locations (climate change adaptation)
	Target 11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing Goal 3 Good health and well-being	Products that reduce community crime rates (alarms and high-security certified locks are proven in crime reduction studies), prevent injury and/or ill-health (fire protection products and fall prevention e.g. Pegasus and SafeGard™ child safety devices for windows, safety handrail systems for roof hatches, lockdown security products and anti-bacterial coatings for door handles), or promote inclusive living for disadvantaged/vulnerable groups such as extended lever hardware and hybrid balances used in nursing homes allowing easy opening by elderly or disabled users
	Target 8.4 Improve global resource efficiency in consumption and production to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation	Incorporating recycled content and responsibly sourced materials in our products throughout our supply chain and new product development processes. Driven by growth in sustainable building certification such as BREEAM, LEED and net zero strategies
	Target 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources Target 12.4 Achieve the sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their lifecycle	Ensuring we use sustainable packaging and eliminate hazardous chemicals / substances in our supply chains and address the lifecycle environmental impacts of our products, through for example, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and C2C product certifications

Reducing crime to make cities safer, resilient and sustainable

Anti-social and criminal behaviour is a concern for many residents living on community housing estates. Our high security locks and other security products fitted to windows and doors meet high performance standards recognised by the Secured by Design (SBD) national police crime reduction initiative in the UK and are proven to reduce neighbourhood crime rates. A study of 1,520 properties on two Nottingham City Homes estates in 2010 and 2012-13 showed that SBD accredited windows reduced burglaries by 58% over a two-year period following the installation of replacement windows with high security locks versus pre-installation. This reduction in crime was achieved despite a slight rise in burglaries in non-Nottingham City Homes properties on the same estates that did not have their windows replaced.

Q-Lon seals reduce energy losses from windows and doors

Seals minimise the energy loss through the gap between the window/door and the frame. Independent tests of Q-Lon (to EN12667:2001), demonstrate that this seal has a lower thermal conductivity than standard seal types and combined with its long-life, provides the optimum level of energy saving in a window or door. The thermal conductivity (U-value) of Q-Lon is 0.04 W/m2K versus a standard EPDM seal at 0.25 W/m2K, making it a better insulation product. The lower the value, the less heat is lost through the seal leading to lower CO2 emissions from less wasted energy

Hurricane protection products help communities adapt to climate change

Our Type S and NB steel and aluminium roof hatches are specifically designed and tested to withstand the most severe weather conditions, including hurricanes, typhoons and high winds. These products are required to withstand a sequence of demanding laboratory tests to gain Miami-Dade County’s Notice of Acceptance (NOA). Tests include a uniform static air pressure test per TAS 202, the TAS 201 impact test , and the TAS 203 wind-pressure loading test.

The Group has installed 10,000 ERA ProtectTM integrated smart alarm systems for vulnerable elderly residents aged 65 and over in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Alarm technology such as this has been proven to reduce neighbourhood crime rates, transform lives and build safer communities.

Our alarms installed in over 5,000 properties in five of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Mansfield in the UK, reduced domestic burglary rates by 40-80% (source: Safe and Secure Homes independent report, 2004).

Standard roof hatches typically have 2.5 cm thick layer of fibreglass insulation, with a U-value of 0.31. The U value (Wm2/K) is a number that illustrates the rate at which heat is transferred through a structure, with the lower the U value meaning lower heat loss and better energy efficiency. Independent tests show that our thermally broken roof hatches featuring a 7.5 cm thick layer of R-20+insulation and a frame and cover design that minimises heat transfer between interior and metal surfaces, achieve a U-value of 0.278. This product also meets LEED standards for recycled content and has a high solar reflectance index (SRI), to reduce cooling needs in summer months.

The Group’s hybrid balances provided to the US market are American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Class 5 rated, meaning they are easier to open, with less operating force compared to other products available. These balances are often specified in nursing homes or other commercial applications where elderly or disabled consumers are prevalent.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, building ventilation has become increasingly important when it comes to human health and safety hazards. But upgrading ventilation in existing buildings poses a challenge; installing a brand new mechanical ventilation system is a long and expensive task.

Giesse includes a special "microventilation setting" as standard in all its tilt-and-turn window systems. By turning the handle 135^o the sash opens by a few millimetres only, allowing for a constant air flow. This minimises condensation and provides fresh air supply for the interiors, without compromising the temperature in the room. Its easier to install and cheaper than mechanical ventilation, and doesn't require any specific technical knowledge to be handled by the user. Existing windows can be retrofitted and upgraded without the need to replace the entire window.

You can find the latest information, case studies and metrics on the Group’s sustainable solutions in the sustainability performance section of our Annual Report and Accounts and the Tyman Sustainability Data Table.

Sustainable solutions

Reducing crime to make cities safer, resilient and sustainable

Q-Lon seals reduce energy losses from windows and doors

Hurricane protection products help communities adapt to climate change

Sustainability

Safety

Sustainable operations

Sustainable culture