AG Named Green Exporter of the Year

AG, a leading manufacturer of paving and building products, has been awarded the Green Exporter of the Year accolade at the 2024 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards.

This achievement further reinforces AG’s position as a leader in sustainable construction, building on its earlier recognition as Sustainable Manufacturing Business of the Year at the 2024 Business Eye Sustainability Awards.

As a third-generation family business, AG is focused on providing clients across the UK and Ireland with sustainable, low-carbon alternatives for paving and building products, a commitment that has been recognised with winning the Green Exporter of the Year award.

In support of this commitment, AG released Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for over 370 products earlier this year. These independently verified documents provide detailed insights into the embodied carbon of AG’s products, highlighting the company’s progress in carbon reduction.

In partnership with Business in the Community (BITC), AG signed the Climate Action Pledge, making an important public commitment to reduce its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by at least 30% as well as reducing its Scope 3 emissions by 2030, irrespective of business growth. AG’s most recent carbon emissions analysis showed a significant 47.8% reduction from its 2019 baseline.

AG powers its entire production process with renewable energy, including biomethane supplied by a nearby farm located next to its manufacturing facility in Fivemiletown. The company sources materials locally from its quarry and incorporates secondary materials to enhance product performance while reducing cement content, thereby lowering the environmental impact of its products.

Among AG’s key offerings is Woodward Low Carbon Smooth Masonry Facing Brick, the range features nearly 46% less embodied carbon per square metre compared to traditional clay bricks. This innovative product has the potential to decrease CO₂ emissions by as much as 713,830 tonnes each year in the UK, which is comparable to the emissions from 73,000 car journeys around the globe.

In addition, the recent appointments of a Head of Innovation and Carbon Reduction and a Senior Quality & Sustainability Technician reinforce AG’s commitment to sustainability. These roles are critical in advancing AG’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of innovation in sustainable building practices.

COO of AG, Mark McArdle, commented on the award win, stating, “This award further strengthens our commitment to a sustainable, low-carbon future. It recognises the hard work of our entire team to develop responsible solutions that benefit both our clients and the environment.”

“At AG, we understand that true progress comes from collaboration and innovation. Our focus on sustainability is not just about compliance; it’s about leading by example and inspiring others in the industry to follow suit. As we move forward, we are dedicated to advancing practices that will leave a lasting positive impact, ensuring that our products contribute to a healthier planet for generations to come.”

Pictured L-R: Ross Telford, Head of Marketing + PR (AG Paving + Building Products), Anne-Marie Roddy, Associate Director (CarbonFit, Award Sponsors) and Stephen Gallagher, Digital Marketing Manager (AG Paving + Building Products). 

Learn more about AG’s CSR Strategy here.