In July 2021, the Penetron India production facility in Salem, India was officially LEED Platinum certified. The Penetron factory is the first such facility in the Asia and Asia-Pacific regions to be certified with LEED Platinum in Construction Materials, the highest LEED classification level.
The goal of the LEED rating system is to raise awareness of sustainable construction methods and reward sustainable design based on several metrics, including sustainable site choice, energy savings, water efficiency, reduction of CO2 emissions, and indoor environmental quality, among others — while also improving company profitability and employee well-being. As a four-level system, LEED awards points based on compliance with different aspects of sustainability. The certification levels are basic, Silver, Gold, and Platinum as the highest certification.
“As a leading supplier in the construction industry, Penetron constantly seeks ways to reduce the industry's impact on the environment by enhancing the durability of concrete structures,” explains Robert Revera, President and CEO of the Penetron Group. “Our crystalline technology helps substantially extend the lifespan of concrete structures, and, as VOC-free products, also provide a safe and reliable waterproofing solution for drinking water storage applications.”
The Penetron production facility in Salem, the fifth largest city in Tamil Nadu in southern India, was inaugurated in December 2019 – and continues to expand. The factory manufactures the complete range of Penetron crystalline products for the domestic Indian market and all of Penetron’s Southern Asia markets.
The LEED certification for the Penetron team in Salem was the result of a detailed, nine-month confirmation procedure managed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit coalition of building industry leaders. It demanded meticulous planning and many reviews by Penetron to achieve the highest LEED rating for the entire facility. Penetron was recognized in the “Operations and Maintenance: Existing Buildings” (v4.1) category through multiple initiatives, such as transportation performance, rainwater management, water savings, waste reduction, and enhanced indoor environmental controls.
“When you look at all the successful LEED projects around the world, less than 7% of all the projects actually gain a Platinum award, the highest classification,” adds Dr. Suresh K Iyer, Director, Penetron India. “This gives you an idea of just how challenging the process to achieve this classification is. It’s a very proud moment for Penetron and our team.”
