Q&A with Patrick Perus, CEO Polycor

“Today, we are unveiling our plan to become carbon neutral across our entire business by the end of 2025. This commitment means that the Polycor products you trust will have zero net direct carbon impact on the environment” – Patrick Perus, CEO, Polycor.


We sat down with Polycor CEO, Patrick Perus, to discuss how their climate action will be the foundation for a new era of industry leadership and innovation.


Q. What exactly does it mean to become “Carbon Neutral”? 

A. When a company becomes carbon neutral, it means that annually it is releasing net zero carbon emissions. This is accomplished by combining various strategies such as reducing the use of carbon-emitting energy sources and offsetting the remainder by funding equivalent savings elsewhere. 

The goal is to achieve the lowest possible environmental impact. Carbon neutrality is the ultimate goal when it comes to sustainability in business. Polycor’s broader sustainability mission is to ensure that natural stone is the best choice when it comes to sustainable building materials. 


Q. What does this mean for our local communities? 

A. With 2030 being identified as the crucial “tipping point” to stop catastrophic climate change, every effort makes a difference. Carbon neutrality means that Polycor will have a smaller environmental impact in all our facilities. Local communities will be the first to benefit from this. 


Q. How will Polycor’s carbon neutral leadership impact the industry?

A. Building materials are responsible for a large part of carbon emissions worldwide (11 percent). As we look for ways to decarbonize the economy, building with low embodied carbon will be essential, and the construction industry will be a key player in this. By taking the lead with this initiative and being the first natural stone quarrier to commit to being carbon neutral, we will show the world that natural stone is a low embodied carbon material and is an essential part of decarbonizing architectural projects. We are hopeful that our leadership will lead to a domino effect among other construction material providers. 


Q. How does Polycor plan to achieve carbon neutrality? 

A. We plan to improve our overall performance and innovate in several central areas to reduce and offset our carbon footprint. Here are five key action items that will be our main focus over the course of the next several years:

  1. Making it a company-wide priority. Our carbon neutral commitment is a top priority. This extends to the entire Polycor Group. We want to hear your ideas and suggestions for improvements and advancements that will decarbonize Polycor’s processes. 
  2. Increasing the use of renewable energy. Polycor values the use of clean and renewable energy. By the end of 2025, we aim to increase the use of renewable energy to 75 percent of our overall energy consumption. 
  3. Reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. We are committed to reducing our use of traditional carbon- based fuels. By 2025, Polycor will electrify more of its operations to meaningfully reduce its carbon footprint. 
  4. Developing our own carbon sink. Investment in carbon offsetting activities, such as tree planting, will create essential carbon sinks on-site and in local communities, decreasing the net total of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 
  5. Improving our environmental practices beyond carbon. Energy use is the primary source of carbon emissions, but all facets of our operations have a carbon footprint. These include water usage, waste generated, shipping, packaging and chemicals use.