Environment
At Ahrens, we have introduced sustainable practices in order to improve our environmental performance and minimise our carbon footprint. We also undertake to balance our economic, environmental and social responsibilities to ensure that our activities have a positive impact on the communities in which we live and work. Ahrens has achieved certification to the international standard ISO14001. In addition, we have developed an Environmental Policy Statement to ensure we comply with relevant statutory obligations and meet the required standards of environmental performance and reporting.
Sustainable Building Features
Many years of experience in the design and construct of industrial and commercial buildings has allowed us to develop innovative design features that utilise sustainable energy resources, such as natural light and water. Typically, our larger buildings incorporate environmentally sustainable systems such as C-Bus automated lighting, solar heating, rainwater harvesting for reticulation to amenities and swales that retain large volumes of groundwater for irrigation. In conjunction with our architectural partners, we have a strong preference for designs that incorporate natural lighting and ventilation and materials with outstanding thermal properties. Our Design & Construct program also looks at opportunities to use recycled materials and minimise ongoing maintenance costs.
Custom Engineered Buildings
Our new, world-class steel manufacturing facility in South Australia has the ability to produce Custom-Engineered Buildings, using tapered web beams. Advanced software allows us to create smart designs which eliminate non-essential steel by up to 30% of the total frame, offering our clients a sustainable building solution. Many of our recent Design & Construct projects have incorporated the use of tapered web beams as an alternative to traditional parallel beams. Oversesas, the benefits of CEB are well recognised, and we are one of only several companies that offer this option in Australia.
Paintline Water Recycling
Our paintline incorporates state-of-the-art technology allowing us to recycle water used during the painting process. The paint by-product is significantly reduced by adding a flocculant which congeals the paint residue for collection and removal.
Kingsford Revegetation
Ahrens is the proud owner of a rural property in the Barossa Valley known as ‘Kingsford Homestead’, which includes a heritage-listed homestead. With assistance from Trees for Life and the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, we are revegetating this magnificent property with native trees. The North Para River, which runs through the property, is an important catchment area for the northern Adelaide region, and we are committed to protecting this significant watercourse with new fencing and providing habitat for native animals and birds through our tree-planting program.