Sustainable building has become the standard in construction. This model seeks to minimise the environmental impact of the sector. Over the past decade, it has gained increasing relevance through various regulatory frameworks, such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in Europe. Its implementation has reshaped the criteria under which projects are conceived and developed, with increasingly demanding environmental requirements.
But what do we actually mean by sustainable building? It is a construction approach based on pillars such as the use of renewable energy, the improvement of energy efficiency, the integration of e‑mobility solutions – such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure (in line with Part S of the Building Regulations, for example) – and a more responsible management of resources, grounded in the principles of the circular economy.
In this context, the design of electrical and telecommunications installations takes on a decisive role. The decisions taken at the early stages of the project, including the selection of cable management systems, determine the durability, adaptability, and flexibility of buildings, which are key factors in reducing their environmental impact over time.
At Unex, we address this challenge drawing on our experience as a specialist manufacturer. Our purpose is to contribute to a safer, more humane and more sustainable world. We do so by developing insulating cable management systems that enable installations to keep pace with the life of buildings: allowing them to be extended, reconfigured and maintained without turning every intervention into major construction work.
The circular economy is one of the key pillars of sustainable building. It is also the area in which we can contribute our expertise and R&D capabilities. According to the European Parliament Research Service, the circular economy is defined as an economic model based, among other aspects, on sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling products and materials within a nearly closed loop. Its objective is to preserve, at all times, the highest possible value and utility of products, components, and materials.
Applied to building, this concept implies analysing buildings as part of a continuous process, an ecosystem in themselves, encompassing the construction phase, operation, and end-of-life or dismantling. In other words, this perspective aims to deliver buildings that are durable, adaptable, cost-effective over their service life and capable of being recycled. Below, we set out a number of recommendations for each stage of the building life cycle, applied to our solutions.
At this stage, additive and integrated construction approaches allow systems and installations to be incorporated in an accessible manner, without embedding them into the building structure. This avoids unplanned interventions on walls. In most modern buildings, walls no longer fulfil a structural function. However, they cannot be perforated indiscriminately, as this would significantly compromise their quality. In refurbishment projects involving older buildings, avoiding chasing and drilling reduces the risk of weakening load-bearing walls.
Thus, surface‑mounted systems, such as our insulating trunking and cable trays, enable a simpler installation. As they do not depend on prior building works or complex reinstatement of finishes afterwards, on‑site coordination is streamlined. This results in time and cost savings.
During the service life of a building, the electrical, HVAC and telecommunications installations are the systems that undergo the highest number of modifications. The progressive electrification of buildings, together with the expansion of digital infrastructure, increases the complexity and density of installations. This makes it essential to adopt a design capable of adapting to these new demands.
In this context, surface‑mounted systems support flexibility and adaptability. They allow cabling to be extended, reorganised or resized over time without invasive interventions.
Moreover, the use of insulating materials with high resistance to corrosion, UV radiation and aggressive environments contributes to greater durability. This ensures that the technical performance of our products is maintained over time in installations carried out in outdoor areas, such as roofs, terraces, courtyards. As a result, the need for replacements is reduced and the service life of the systems is extended.
As these solutions do not require earthing or periodic maintenance, management tasks are also simplified, and the associated costs are reduced.
At the end of their service life, or during major refurbishment works, easily dismantled solutions allow systems to be removed in an orderly manner. No demolition or aggressive intervention on the building structure is required. Furthermore, as these solutions can be separated from the other construction materials, sorting is simplified. This contributes to more efficient management of the materials generated during the intervention.
And how do we apply the principles of the circular economy? At Unex, we manage the entire life cycle of our products. This covers everything from the in‑house formulation of raw materials, through manufacturing, distribution, and use, to end-of-life. This comprehensive approach enables us to develop circular economy strategies focused on resource optimisation, durability, and the use of secondary materials, among other aspects.
Raw materials
Own formulation - highest quality and safety
Unex raw materials and products comply with the RoHS directive on hazardous substances for the environment and humans.
U43X and U48X raw materials are made from a 100% recycled, halogen-free thermoplastic component.
Manufacturing
Reuse of production waste.
Recirculation of water in production.
ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system in all our production centres.
Use of energy from 100% renewable sources.
Distribution
Reduction of single-use plastics in packaging.
Use of recycled and FSC-certified cardboard in packaging.
Use
Longer durability.
Zero maintenance.
No earthing required for most products.
Surface mounted: energy and resource saving. No construction waste and easily detachable and adaptable.
End of life
Technically recyclable material.
90% mono-material products.
Easy to dismantle.
Free of hazardous substances.
As you can see, applying this logic to the product means acting from the earliest stages, including the design phase.
This entire process is also reflected in our Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), developed in accordance with ISO 14025 and under the PEP Ecopassport® programme. These provide verified information on environmental impact and support more informed decision‑making in building projects.
If you would like to apply this approach in your project, please contact us.