Thermal Road Repairs has gained PAS 2080 accreditation for its carbon management system – thought to be the first SME in highways to do so.
The accreditation was awarded in February and covers Scopes 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions for the company, its processes and supply chain.
Managing director Aidan Conway said: 'We want to lead the industry in provable carbon reduction techniques. With so many carbon calculators available, we chose to look at a formal, audited, accredited process.
'For an SME, the largest part is documenting and formalising a system for the ethos of the company. My advice to other SMEs would be to read the standard and figure out where you can fit in. Often smaller impactful changes are sufficient, rather than larger expensive shifts in your business strategy.'
PAS 2080:2023 carbon management in buildings and infrastructure is a standard that sets out how carbon emissions should be measured, recorded and reduced. To gain accreditation, a company must be independently audited with an initial assessment to flag gaps, followed by a second and final audit.
National Highways requires all its large and medium-sized supply chain partners to achieve PAS 2080 accreditation by the end of 2025. SME suppliers should set up systems that align with PAS 2080 but do not have to have formal accreditation.
Based in Crewe with 30 employees, Thermal Road Repairs said its flagship pothole and defect repair system 'emits 85% less carbon than traditional repair processes'.
The company uses a computer-controlled thermal infrared heater to heat up failed and failing material in and around a pothole. These heaters can be charged using biogas or electricity and are topped up using solar power from in-built solar panels.
A small quantity of new asphalt is mixed with the existing material and the area is compacted, with no need for grinders or jackhammers.
Among the changes the company made to meet the PAS 2080 standard was a switch to renewable energy for its factory.
'The next step for Thermal Road Repairs will be to set a target date for achieving net zero carbon emissions,' the company said.
It is currently developing its solar power capabilities and carrying out R&D in new fuels and additives, as well as trialling electricity generation using hydrogen.
