Crown Paints, a leading UK producer of paints and coatings, asked Anthesis to help it measure the carbon footprint of its entire product portfolio. Anthesis used its revolutionary Product Portfolio Footprinting service to help the company understand its environmental impact and identify carbon reduction opportunities..

As a result of this work, Crown Paints announced new targets in its annual sustainability report:
• 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2015
• 25% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2020

The first phase of work completed in mid-2010 delivered comprehensive PAS 2050 carbon footprint studies of two products: Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt and Sandtex Flexigloss X-tra.

In the second phase during 2011, Anthesis calculated the total carbon footprint of all Crown Paints’ products made in the UK. This was a groundbreaking initiative which measured product impacts up and down the supply chain. The analysis looked at ingredients, packaging, manufacture, distribution and use phase across the product portfolio.

By measuring the carbon footprint of its entire UK product portfolio and operations, Crown Paints gave itself a baseline from which to reduce its carbon footprint in the future.

Anthesis continues to work with Crown Paints and its suppliers to develop a flexible knowledge base to update its portfolio footprint and monitor progress annually against its sustainability targets.  The footprint is also being used to develop product level footprint information to be shared with customers, and to identify internal innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact.

‘We have been working with Anthesis (then trading as Best Foot Forward) since 2008. Anthesis has provided a total solution for our business, from scoping projects, data collection and analysis, to interpretation, provision of software tools and communication of results. This has resulted in sustainability now becoming an inherent part of our business with buy-in from the CE & management team. We have been impressed by their dedication, knowledge and systematic and straightforward approach with the ability to provoke thought and encourage innovation. We have no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending Anthesis for the quality of its work, range of services and expertise.”

– Mark Lloyd, Sustainability Manager, Crown Paints

“We wanted to do our bit to limit our impact on the environment. Having this level of knowledge when it comes to measuring carbon footprint will maximize our awareness going forward and sit in line with our commitment to sustainability. We are confident that our portfolio footprinting method will demonstrate what is possible in carbon management.”

– Brian Davidson, Chief Executive, Crown Paints

Read the Crown Paints press coverage in Manchester Evening News, and listen to the Crown Paints podcast from the launch of the company's carbon revolution at Ecobuild.