SENSE Solutions: Sustainable Steel for Green Star projects

Change in the construction industry is often complex, especially when it involves sustainability.

As the push for sustainably rated developments intensifies, developers, investors and construction professionals are seeking ways to lower carbon emissions while navigating the myriad of industry stakeholders—including designers, engineers, builders, and regulators.

This complexity is not unique to construction but the sector’s significant role in carbon emissions—accounting for 40 per cent of global carbon emissions—places an extra burden on those wanting transformation.

However, SENSE Solutions delivered by InfraBuild is innovating in this space, providing a new lower embodied carbon steel alternative for property developers and investors wanting to align their projects with Green Star ratings and reduced Scope 3 emissions targets.

Backed by key sustainability certifications such as Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) and an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), SENSE Solutions is not only helping stakeholders meet their sustainability goals but also simplifying compliance with Green Star rating requirements.

In doing so, SENSE Solutions has become a valuable strategic tool for those committed to reducing the overall carbon footprint of new developments without compromising on performance or efficacy.

Simplifying the pathway to sustainable development

For developers, achieving Green Star certification is more than just a badge of sustainability—it’s a growing necessity in an industry driven by environmentally-conscious investors challenged with evolving regulations.

The pathway to earning these certifications is often complicated, particularly when it involves reducing embodied carbon.

InfraBuild’s SENSE Solutions offers a straightforward solution to this challenge.

SENSE 600—the flagship product in the SENSE Solutions range—can deliver up to a 39 per cent reduction in embodied carbon compared to InfraBuild’s standard Grade 500N steel bars​.

This reduction is made possible by using up to 16.7 per cent less raw material to produce a product with the same load capacity​ as the equivalent standard 500N reinforcing steel.

So for developers looking to score points under Green Star’s Upfront Carbon Emissions credit, SENSE 600 is a game-changer, supporting the pathway to achieving up to six Green Star points towards their certification goals.

Additionally, SENSE 600 GECA certification is a key initiative recognised in the Responsible Products Framework of the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Green Star Buildings tool.

This certification supports developers in securing responsible products credits in the Green Star framework, streamlining the process of choosing materials that contribute directly to their sustainability targets​.

For developers, this means fewer headaches when selecting products and provides more scope to deliver sustainable projects that meet both regulatory and market demands.

Lowering embodied carbon without disruption

One of the biggest hurdles in decarbonising construction is finding solutions that work for everyone.

Sustainability shifts can’t come at the expense of efficiency or introduce too much disruption to existing processes.

SENSE Solutions was created with this in mind, allowing developers, engineers and builders to use a lower-embodied carbon steel without needing to overhaul their entire approach.

To do this, the SENSE 600 product has been designed so it can be a direct substitute for standard Grade 500N steel, meaning it can be introduced seamlessly into existing designs and workflows.

For designers and engineers, this makes it much easier to adopt, requiring no changes to the software or processes already in place.

Having an edge in the circular economy

Made in Australia from 100 per cent scrap steel, SENSE 600 not only lowers embodied carbon but also supports the circular economy, further enhancing its appeal to environmentally conscious developers and investors.

This commitment to circularity is quantified through the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) metric, included in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for SENSE 600.

This metric highlights the product’s efficiency and recyclability, making it an ideal choice for developers looking to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.

But for property developers and investors, SENSE Solutions provides more than just environmental benefits—it offers a competitive edge.

As sustainability becomes a central requirement for property investment and development, the ability to use certified, lower embodied carbon materials can enhance a project’s marketability and investor appeal.

Green Star-rated buildings often command higher property values and rental premiums, making sustainability a key driver of long-term financial success.

Incorporating SENSE Solutions into a project not only helps meet regulatory requirements but also supports the leadership ambitions for construction companies.

As pressure mounts from regulatory bodies and investors to deliver more responsible buildings, products such as SENSE Solutions offer a clear, certified pathway to achieving their goals.

By choosing SENSE Solutions, developers aren’t just complying with the latest regulations; they’re leading the charge in making sustainably certified building materials the norm across Australia.

And as the construction industry moves towards a more sustainable future, this accessible, scalable solution could be the key to unlocking widespread change.

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