Chemicals giant Ineos has created a state-of-the-art air filtration system to ensure its offices have the cleanest air possible, a notable step for multinational occupier.
The company has teamed up with the National Physical Laboratory on sophisticated air quality monitoring and with consultant Aecom to develop air filtration systems, which it has deployed on the roof, in the street and inside its office at 38 Hans Crescent, SW1, opposite Harrods.
Ineos began the project following concerns about the capital’s air quality from its founder and chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Data collected by the company revealed there were two major issues – the level of nitrous oxide (NO2) and the level of particulates. Initial readings taken showed extremely high levels of both, regularly peaking above the EU limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre at the Knightsbridge office.
Its new systems, which cost less than £100,000, remove particulates and include carbon filters to reduce levels of NO2. They have had a substantial impact on the office’s air quality.
Ineos now plans to roll out the systems across all of its offices, and said the solution could also be installed in other offices across the UK.
Ratcliffe said: “We know that air pollution in big cities is a major issue and we are proud to have been able to make a massive improvement to the health and wellbeing of our staff for a relatively low cost.
“We believe our headquarters now has the cleanest air in London and we are keen to roll this out to staff across the world.”
“The welfare of our staff is hugely important to Ineos and we wanted to tackle the issue of air pollution, which is particularly serious in the big cities.”
Simon Laker, operations director at Ineos, added: “This new technology has massively improved air quality across the office. It’s a major boost for our staff and we are now planning to put in all our other offices where air pollution is a problem.”
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