Sustainability is increasingly becoming a key factor in construction industry tenders. For specialist companies, this means that those who support their proposals with proof of sustainability gain clear competitive advantages. But how can you effectively present sustainable solutions and meet the expectations of building owners and certification systems like LEED, BREEAM, and DGNB? Explore our blog to learn how to enhance your proposals with transparent evidence and position yourself as a partner in sustainable construction.
Sustainability has become a central element of tenders for construction projects. This shift is driven by several factors: increasing regulatory requirements, heightened environmental awareness, and the recognition that sustainable construction reduces costs in the long term and increases real estate value. As a result, more building owners, companies, and public clients are placing greater importance on environmental standards and sustainable practices when selecting partners for tenders.
According to the World Green Building Trends 2021 study, over a quarter of respondents stated that more than 60% of their projects could be classified as "green" or sustainable. For 2024, the number of sustainable construction projects is expected to rise significantly. Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are leading the way, with more than half of clients expected to tender over 60% of their projects based on sustainability criteria. This shift signals a fundamental change in the global construction industry that is expected to continue gaining momentum in the coming years.
The integration of sustainability criteria in tenders serves several purposes: reducing the carbon footprint, promoting the use of environmentally friendly materials, and increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. Companies and governments are increasingly recognising that sustainable construction projects not only contribute to achieving environmental goals but also offer long-term economic benefits. The EU aims to become climate-neutral by 2050, meaning net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This goal is central to the European Green Deal and is legally binding through the European Climate Law. Buildings pose a particular challenge. According to the European Parliament they are responsible for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of energy consumption in the EU.
For this reason, the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a central component of the EU's "Fit for 55" climate package, which aims to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The updated version of the Directive has been in force since May 2024 and seeks to make new public buildings emission-free by 2028, new private buildings by 2030, and the entire building stock by 2050.
Europe is just one example of how climate protection and sustainability are driving the increasing demand for green building materials. The green building materials market was valued at USD 422.27 billion globally in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 1.2 trillion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. This demonstrates that sustainable tenders are not just a trend, but a necessary evolution towards a more sustainable construction industry.
The future will be marked by stricter regulations, a greater inclusion of sustainable criteria in tenders, and closer cooperation between clients, construction companies, and material and product suppliers. The aim is to make the entire lifecycle of a construction project more sustainable - from planning and procurement to construction, use, and eventual dismantling.
Sustainable construction projects require compliance with various international standards and guidelines that ensure environmental, social, and economic criteria are considered at every stage of construction. These standards offer guidance to designers, contractors, and clients in implementing sustainable building practices and obtaining internationally recognised certifications.
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The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) provides a standardised framework for sustainable buildings. Developed by the International Code Council and the US Green Building Council, the IgCC sets binding standards for the construction of environmentally friendly buildings. It promotes the use of sustainable construction methods and helps cities and municipalities integrate sustainable guidelines into building codes.
The Technical Committee CEN/TC 350 develops European standards for the assessment of sustainability aspects in construction projects. These standards create a common basis for assessing the environmental performance of buildings and construction products and support the harmonisation of sustainability assessments throughout Europe.
ISO 15392:2019 "Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works" is a key standard that outlines general principles for sustainability in construction. It applies to both new and existing structures, as well as to materials, products, and services throughout their entire life cycle. The standard aids construction projects in achieving sustainability goals such as resource conservation, waste reduction, and the use of sustainable materials.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide transparent and comparable information about the environmental impact of construction products. They are an essential tool for supporting sustainability assessments and helping make informed decisions in material selection. EPDs for individual building components also affect assessments in certification systems and are increasingly becoming a prerequisite for their use in sustainable construction projects.
Installation companies of piping systems face the challenge of adapting their material selection to the growing demands of sustainable tenders. Pipes made of polypropylene (PP) not only offer ecological benefits due to their recyclability, but also provide high durability and a long service life, which reduce operating costs over the life cycle of a building, making them a sustainable alternative to metal pipes, for example.
It is becoming increasingly important for installers to have in-depth knowledge of relevant sustainability certifications such as BREEAM, LEED, or DGNB. These certifications set standards that reduce the environmental footprint of buildings and maximise energy efficiency. Installers who provide solutions that help achieve higher certification levels gain a clear competitive advantage. A comprehensive understanding of the certification criteria allows installers to tailor their bids to the requirements of the tenders and strengthen their position in the market.
The precise and transparent documentation of the materials and technologies used is a crucial requirement in sustainable tenders. Clients expect detailed evidence of the sustainability of the products used and the anticipated environmental benefits. Installers must be able to provide well-founded data. aquatherm offers valuable support for practical implementation.
Sustainability is more than just a trend at aquatherm. The company has been certified to ISO 9001, 14001, and 50001 for over 10 years, meeting the highest standards in quality, environmental protection, and energy efficiency. This commitment is also reflected in its products: aquatherm pipe systems are made of polypropylene, a corrosion-resistant and rust-proof material with a long service life and high chemical resistance. Thanks to the excellent insulating properties of the PP material, aquatherm pipes help save energy and reduce the associated CO₂ emissions.
aquatherm has had Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) prepared for its products in accordance with international standards, quantifying the environmental impact of the products over their entire life cycle. These EPDs comply with ISO 14025 and EN 15804 standards and have been independently verified. The EPDs therefore serve as recognised proof of the sustainability of aquatherm products in construction projects.
aquatherm´s EPDs are BRE GLOBAL VERIFIED, meaning they have been verified and confirmed by a recognised independent body. aquatherm's EPDs are an important contribution to building certification systems such as LEED, BREEAM, and DGNB. By using aquatherm products, construction projects can earn additional points or credits in these certification systems, leading to a better overall sustainability rating. This makes aquatherm a preferred system solution for planners and builders who aim to set high sustainability goals and optimise the environmental performance of their buildings.
Sustainability certificates, such as those from aquatherm, not only highlight the potential for reducing the ecological footprint but can also increase the attractiveness of your offers in tenders. Here are suggestions for specific measures:
An essential first step is the targeted selection of products, that have environmental certifications or environmental product declarations (EPDs). Products such as aquatherm pipe systems offer sustainability benefits that are tested and documented by their EPDs. Training employees on the properties and advantages of these products is crucial to provide competent advice to tendering bodies and to effectively implement sustainable solutions.
Clear and transparent documentation is key to strengthening offers. Specialist companies should list the sustainable products used and their specific characteristics in detail in their offers. Providing Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) or EPDs builds trust and demonstrates that the sustainability of the products has been proven. This also facilitates integration into certification processes such as LEED, BREEAM, or DGNB.
Sustainability should consider the entire life cycle of a project. Concepts for waste prevention and separation during the construction phase are essential, but sustainability does not end with installation. As a specialist company, you should work with your suppliers to identify potential savings in energy, water, and resources from production, installation, commissioning, use, and recycling of the products.
Calculating the energy efficiency of the systems offered, as well as comparing it to less sustainable alternatives, can be a strong selling point. Here, too, you will receive planning and tendering support from your system partners, such as aquatherm.
Sustainable products are often distinguished by a longer service life and lower maintenance requirements. These benefits should be highlighted in your listings.
Specialist companies benefit from cooperation with other trades to offer holistic sustainability solutions. Membership in sustainable building networks can promote knowledge exchange and provide access to new technologies and methods.
aquatherm's pipe systems set standards, particularly in terms of sustainability and functionality. Made from corrosion-resistant polypropylene, they offer high durability, easy installation, and impressive environmental properties. The different product lines from aquatherm are tailored to meet the specific requirements of various application areas and make a significant contribution to sustainable construction projects.
The integration of sustainability in tenders is crucial for construction companies and planners to meet the growing demands for environmentally friendly and resource-efficient construction. Specifically, the BREEAM, LEED, and DGNB certification systems provide clear and transparent guidelines that help define and achieve sustainability goals.
Construction companies and planners incorporate sustainability aspects at various levels of the tender documents, both at the trade level and for individual service items. This starts with the formulation of environmental and health requirements and extends to the detailed specification of sustainable materials and technologies. Furthermore, procurement procedures aimed at reducing emissions throughout the value chain are increasingly being introduced, contributing to the holistic optimisation of a project's environmental footprint. These processes then become a prerequisite for the selection of sustainable suppliers.
When integrating BREEAM into tenders, construction companies and planners focus on environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and economic profitability. BREEAM assesses buildings in several categories, including management, health and wellbeing, energy, water, materials, waste, pollution, and innovation. The rating ranges from "acceptable" to "outstanding," with high scores achieved through the use of sustainable technologies, eco-friendly materials, and innovative solutions. The requirements are included in the tender documents to ensure the construction projects reach the targeted BREEAM certification level.
LEED is one of the world’s leading certification systems and evaluates construction projects across nine environmental categories, which include both minimum requirements (prerequisites) and additional requirements (credits). Tenders aiming for LEED certification focus particularly on criteria such as the use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), sustainable sourcing of raw materials, and low-emission materials. These specific requirements are identified during the design phase and integrated into the specifications to ensure that all parties – from planning to execution – meet the criteria. The LEED certification levels are:
The DGNB certification system follows a comprehensive approach that considers environmental, social, and economic aspects. Tenders that include DGNB criteria promote the use of sustainable materials, energy-efficient technologies, and health-enhancing construction methods. Certification is awarded in the following stages
Additionally, extra grades can be given for special achievements in specific areas. The tender texts are based on the DGNB criteria.
Sustainability has become a decisive factor in the construction industry. Specialist companies that rely on verified sustainability certificates and specifically enhance their offers with environmentally friendly solutions not only secure a competitive advantage but also make an important contribution to the transformation of the industry. By integrating sustainable products such as aquatherm's PP pipe systems, providing transparent documentation of environmental benefits, and strategically training their employees, companies can significantly strengthen their position in the market. This enables them to meet the increasing requirements of building owners and certification systems and to realise future-proof, sustainable construction projects.
Get to know aquatherm's comprehensive commitment and solutions for sustainability:
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