We recently completed our first carbon footprint analysis with Positive Planet.
Earlier this year, we shared why sustainability matters to us and how it shows up in everyday decisions across the business. This piece focuses on something more specific: what we measured, what the data tells us and how it’s shaping our priorities.
Why measure now
As an early-stage advanced materials business, we chose to measure our carbon footprint sooner rather than later. The data would never be perfect at this stage, but establishing a baseline early allows sustainability to be built into how the company scales.
Measurement creates accountability. It also helps move discussions away from assumptions and towards evidence.
Headline results
Our total carbon footprint for the reporting year was 56.2 tCO₂e, measured across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions. In simple terms, Scope 1 and 2 cover emissions we control directly, while Scope 3 covers emissions linked to suppliers, travel and day-to-day operations.
The distribution was clear:
- Scope 1 and 2 emissions were minimal
- 97.7% of our footprint sits in Scope 3
This matters because Scope 3 covers areas that are less visible but more influential, including procurement, travel and wider operational decisions.
Where emissions are concentrated
The largest contributor to our footprint was procurement, accounting for 41.6 tCO₂e. Employee commuting and homeworking contributed 5.2 tCO₂e, with business travel accounting for 2.2 tCO₂e.
In contrast, emissions linked directly to facilities and energy use were comparatively small.
This reinforces a point that is sometimes overlooked in manufacturing businesses: reducing impact is not only about infrastructure or utilities. It is strongly shaped by how materials are sourced, how suppliers are selected and how work is planned day to day.
Understanding the limitations
This was our first year of carbon reporting. As with many early measurements, parts of the analysis relied on spend-based estimates rather than detailed activity data.
That introduces uncertainty, particularly around procurement. Improving data quality is therefore a priority alongside reducing emissions themselves. More accurate inputs allow progress to be tracked properly over time and ensure that decisions are based on robust information rather than averages.
What this means for our priorities
The audit makes our focus areas clear.
Efforts to reduce environmental impact will centre on:
- Procurement and supplier selection
- Travel and commuting choices
- Improving the quality and consistency of emissions data
Some actions will be straightforward. Others will take longer and require collaboration with suppliers and partners. The aim is not to make claims prematurely but to take measurable steps in the areas that have the greatest effect.
What happens next
We are now building an action plan based on these findings. This will guide how sustainability is embedded into operational decisions rather than treated as a separate initiative.
Progress against that plan will be shared as changes are implemented. This audit represents a baseline, not an endpoint.
What matters now is what changes.
You can keep up to date with our sustainability efforts here.
