Ekopak is proud to announce that its new headquarters and warehouse in Deinze has achieved the BREEAM “Outstanding” certification. This is the highest rating level within BREEAM. The building achieved a score of over 85%.
BREEAM is an international method for measuring the sustainability of buildings in terms of energy, water management, material use, health, and ecology. Performance is expressed as a score with a corresponding rating (Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, or Outstanding).
Sustainable water is at the heart of Ekopak. Its own headquarters therefore had to reflect that ambition. That is why Ekopak deliberately aimed for the highest BREEAM level.
Independent of municipal water and sewer systems
The headquarters operates independently of the municipal water supply and sewer system. Rainwater and wastewater are treated on-site and reused, including as drinking water. A geothermal heat pump and solar panels ensure that renewable sources cover 100% of annual energy consumption. High-performance glazing, high-quality insulation, and sunshades reduce total energy consumption by approximately 35%.
Ekopak earned all available credits in the Water category. For a water technology company, this is particularly significant. The building also scored highly in the Management and Energy categories. The completed project achieved a BREEAM Outstanding rating with a score of 85.23%.
Careful Choices
Achieving an “Outstanding” rating requires more than just sustainable technologies. Materials, contractors, and solutions were carefully selected to meet the strict requirements. Encon, a consulting firm specializing in sustainability, guided the certification process and conducted the technical studies, ranging from energy and daylight simulations to a mobility plan and a climate adaptation plan.
A Tangible Demonstration
The headquarters serves as a tangible demonstration of the sustainability solutions and principles that the company brings to market. It is a living showcase of what Ekopak offers its customers. Visitors can see Ekopak’s circular water solutions in action there.
Ignace De Somer, ESG Manager at Ekopak: “We are incredibly proud of this achievement. BREEAM Outstanding is the highest rating you can achieve. It proves that our sustainability ambition is measurable. Every day, our headquarters demonstrates what circular water use makes possible.”
Tim De Maet – Business Unit Manager (Ekopak) and Nouri Van Rompaey – Manager Real Estate (Encon)
