Airbus Broughton facility eco-awarded; it is capable to recycle 50% of the total rainwater.

Not only A350 XWB FAL in Toulouse is “green” but also Airbus UK’s impressive new North Factory at Broughton in Wales is one of the largest ever buildings to have achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

John Griffiths AM, Minister for Environment and Sustainability, presented Airbus with the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certificate during a ceremony at the factory on 25/October.

BREEAM is an internationally recognized measure of a building’s sustainability with 245,000 buildings already certified.

“I would like to congratulate Airbus on the award of a BREEAM excellent rating. This really is a significant achievement and it is clear that a determination to reduce C0₂ emissions, energy consumption and waste were at the very heart of this project” said Mr Griffiths.

The 46,000sq m Broughton plant – open for 12 months – is the largest factory to be built in the UK in the past 6 years and houses 650 workers.

 Broughton plant is bigger than Wembley Stadium

“The achievement of a BREEAM “Excellent” rating is a testament to our continued efforts to meet and exceed the highest standards of environmental management” said Gareth Davies, Head of A350 wing. “Airbus strives to enhance the green credentials of aviation, and the assembly process is as much a part of this as when the aircraft is in service.”

A small selection of sustainability features include the provision of heating by a mixture of biomass and gas fired boilers and electric heat pump systems, the inclusion of PV panels and solar water heaters, and the recycling of 50% of the total predicted rainwater run-off from the roof areas.

“This BREEAM “Excellent” award is a clear demonstration of Airbus UK’s commitment to sustainable development,” said BREEAM Director Martin Townsend.

 North Wales facility was officially inaugurated one year ago. (click to watch the video)

Based on article “Airbus Broughton factory given BREEAM Excellent rating” published in Flintshire Chronicle