We’re proud to share that R&B Industrial has been named a finalist for the 2025 Sustainability Award at the Test Valley Business Awards. This recognition reflects our long-standing commitment to reducing environmental impact, not just within our own operations, but across the wider industrial sector through smarter, cleaner technologies.
Our journey has always been about turning “green thinking” into measurable action.
From Green Thinking to Green Doing
At R&B, sustainability is more than a value, it’s a mindset built into how we work every day. Over the last few years, we’ve taken significant steps to reduce our carbon footprint.
We’ve installed a 20kW solar array, which has saved over 35 tonnes of CO₂ to date. Our transition to electric vehicles has also had a major impact, with over 105,000 electric milesdriven, preventing an estimated 24 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Beyond infrastructure, we’ve taken practical steps to encourage sustainable habits. Our office has been upgraded with LED lighting, insulation and high-performance glazing. We offer free EV charging for staff and visitors and we actively promote greener travel, including through the Cycle to Work scheme, which several team members participate in. Our Director, Clive, even commutes on a beautifully crafted BEAMZ wooden bike, a perfect symbol of green innovation in action.
Sustainability by Design
Sustainability isn’t something we bolt on; it’s designed in from the start.
We engineer our products for repairability and end-of-life recyclability, favouring materials like mild steel and brass that are easier to process sustainably. Where possible, we avoid unnecessary finishes and coatings that can complicate recycling.
On the premises side, we prioritised passive energy savings, such as insulation and glazing, before investing in higher-cost technologies. Our next major step is deploying heat pump systems, which will further reduce our energy use.
These decisions reflect our belief that sustainability begins with thoughtful design, whether it’s for a control panel or a company building.
SmartAIR®: Sustainable Technology in Action
A cornerstone of our innovation is SmartAIR+, our patented energy-saving system for dust and fume extraction. It transforms how industrial ventilation operates, cutting fan energy consumption by up to 90%, while improving air quality, compliance and maintenance efficiency.
SmartAIR+ uses advanced wireless, self-powered modules to automatically balance airflow and reduce waste. This makes it ideal not just for new installations, but for retrofitting existing systems, helping businesses decarbonise without high barriers to entry.
Our SmartAIR® technology has been:
- Supported by The Carbon Trust, Innovate UK and DESNZ
- Showcased at the Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA) conference
- Deployed in over 35 UK manufacturing businesses
Case study highlight: Input Joinery
- Saved 37,380 kWh in just 6 months
- Cut electricity costs by over £16,000 (with a payback time of less than a year)
- Currently saving approximately £80 per day
By reducing energy, material loss and extending filter lifespan, all without compromising safety, SmartAIR® helps clients become more sustainable and more competitive.
Expanding Our Impact: From Industry to Homes
Looking ahead, we plan to expand our technology beyond manufacturing. SmartAIR® has the potential to reshape how commercial and domestic buildings approach ventilation, heating and cooling. With building regulations evolving and the climate emergency accelerating, energy-efficient air control will be more important than ever.
A Culture Rooted in Responsibility
Our sustainability efforts are underpinned by our company culture. It’s this ethos that drives us to be transparent about our Net Zero journey, invest in sustainable upgrades and actively explore accreditation under frameworks like ISO 14001 and B Corp.
Sustainability here is more than a goal, it’s a habit woven into every decision we make, from procurement to product design to the daily commute.
Education, Collaboration & Climate Optimism
We believe that awareness and education are key to long-term environmental change. Our team regularly attends events like Fully Charged Live and Everything Electric, where they engage with industry leaders and policy experts on emerging technologies and sustainable regulations. We feed these insights back into the business, keeping our thinking fresh and our solutions relevant.
By speaking at conferences and collaborating with organisations like the Carbon Trust, we’re also helping to influence government policy and accelerate adoption of market-ready sustainable technologies.
At a time when the climate conversation can feel overwhelmingly negative, these experiences reinforce one truth: change is not only possible, it’s already happening.
Proud to Be Finalists. Motivated to Do More.
Being named a finalist for the Test Valley Business Awards 2025 in the Sustainability category is more than an honour. It’s a moment of reflection, and a powerful motivator to continue scaling up our impact.
From solar panels to smart sensors, electric vehicles to wooden bikes, we’re proud of the actions we’ve taken. But we know the work doesn’t stop here. There’s more to do, for our clients, our community and the planet.
Interested to Learn More
If your business is looking to improve its environmental performance, especially through sustainable ventilation, energy efficiency, or compliance-driven design, we’d love to talk.