Reduce Our Impact

At Ulster, we recognise our responsibility to use energy, water and other resources as efficiently as possible. That is why reducing environmental impact through investment, innovation and continual improvement has always been an important part of how we work.

Reduce our Impact

Manufacturing will always require energy, water and transport. Our responsibility is to use these resources as efficiently as possible while continually reducing their environmental impact. Through investment, measurement and continual improvement, we are committed to reducing the impact of our operations while continuing to manufacture high-quality woven carpets.

Renewable Energy

One of the most significant changes we have made has been switching to 100% renewable electricity across our manufacturing operations. Combined with continued investment in more efficient boilers, heat recovery systems, manufacturing equipment and other energy-saving initiatives, this has contributed to a 48.5% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions towards our 2025 reduction targets*. During 2025 alone, this equated to a saving of 765 tonnes of CO₂e.

Dyehouse & Energy

Our Dyehouse & Energy Centre introduced modern dyeing technology, replacing traditional dyeing with a more efficient and precise process. The investment reduced water consumption by 46%, representing one of the most significant environmental improvements across our manufacturing operations.

Having already achieved such a substantial reduction, further savings now come through continual refinement rather than transformational change. Even so, our focus remains on identifying opportunities to improve, with a further 4% reduction in water consumption achieved towards our 2025 target*.

The Dyehouse & Energy Centre also helps reduce energy demand. Heat recovered from the dyeing process is captured and used to pre-heat incoming water before it enters production, reducing the additional energy required for each dye cycle and making better use of energy already generated within the manufacturing process.

Manufacturing Efficiency

Continual investment in our manufacturing operations also contributes to improving efficiency. Modern loom technology has helped deliver a 21% reduction in energy intensity against our 2025 target* alongside other energy saving initiatives such as boiler upgrades and compressor optimisation. Upgrading to LED lighting across our manufacturing site has reduced lighting energy consumption by 53%.

Beyond the Factory Floor

Reducing our impact extends beyond the weaving floor. Forklift trucks have been replaced with battery-powered alternatives, our company vehicle fleet now consists of hybrid and fully electric vehicles, and home charging points have been installed to support employees using electric company vehicles.

Reducing our impact is an ongoing commitment. By monitoring our performance and continuing to invest in more efficient technologies, we can understand where progress is being made, identify further opportunities for improvement and continue reducing the environmental impact of our operations over time.

*Target Baseline 2019