Michael Kane (Boral Ret.) believes strongly in helping the environment. He sees the sweeping changes many firms are taking as positive proof that problems like global warming are being treated more seriously. For his part, he was taking steps in the early 2000s to help decrease the carbon footprint of the entire construction industry. His low-carbon siding has helped lead the way for sweeping market changes. Here’s how his simple vision helped the world.
How Michael Kane (Boral Ret.) Helped the Environment
.png?1633708498969 "Michael Kane (Boral Ret.)on How Low-Carbon Siding Helps the Environment 96")
The potential dangers of global warming and other environmental issues always concerned Michael Kane Boral. As a construction and manufacturing CEO, he knew that many of the materials in his market were high-carbon and unsafe. As a result, his goal as a business professional was to do what he could to help cut back on the construction world’s carbon footprint.
His first goal was to launch Boral True Exterior Trim and Siding. This unique building product possessed a very low-carbon footprint, the lowest in the market at the time. It consisted of sand and fly ash, very low-carbon items that were also inexpensive, easy to recycle, and simple to install. This idea was a huge success and helped to impact the building industry in many subtle ways.
For example, many companies were now thinking of green construction methods for the first time and attempting to integrate them into their operation. This subtle change helped to produce a snowball effect. Slowly, more and more firms found themselves trying out low-carbon alternatives. As a result, it has become a surprisingly prominent part of the industry in many parts of the world.
Green siding of this type not only possesses a lower-carbon design but is also more sustainable. Sand and fly ash are much easier to find than the traditional asphalt materials used in old-school siding. It can also be recycled more efficiently, creating new siding without requiring new materials. This considerable benefit is something Michael Kane Boral finds very satisfying to help create.
This siding is not his only attempt to help the environment, either. He also launched Envisia in Australia, a green-tech concrete alternative that uses fly ash and slag cement to replace the traditional Portland cement production method. Fly ash remains one of the most popular low-carbon replacement items, and Envisia has helped Australian construction firms cut heavily on their carbon footprint.
Many firms have followed his lead in the years since. And while he has retired and mostly enjoys spending time with his family, he is proud of the impact that his low-carbon siding had on the industry. He hopes more companies take the lead and create even greener and safer materials for the future. All it takes is one person with a mission and drive to make changes that will improve the lives of millions.
