木牆也能存碳？

隨著氣候變遷加劇、建築法規日益嚴格，澳洲建築業正面臨關鍵轉型點。過去僅注重美觀與成本的建材選擇，如今被迫納入碳足跡與環境影響的考量。從基礎混凝土到外牆包覆，建材的永續性正快速成為新標準，而非僅是市場趨勢。

在《Energy Matters》節目第二集中，製作團隊參訪了位於新南威爾斯州的Weathertex工廠，深入了解其天然木質包覆板的生產過程，並揭示永續建材如何實質改寫建築行業的運作模式。

With the growing threat of climate change and increasingly stringent building regulations, Australia’s construction industry is reaching a pivotal turning point. Materials once chosen solely for aesthetics or cost are now being assessed for their carbon footprint and environmental impact. From structural concrete to exterior cladding, sustainability is rapidly becoming the new standard - not just a passing trend.

建築排碳成焦點，轉型勢在必行

根據澳洲氣候委員會（Climate Council）統計，建築營運約佔全國碳排放的四分之一，其中不僅包括日常能源使用，還涵蓋「隱含碳」（Embodied Carbon）——亦即建材從開採、製造、運輸到施工過程中的總排放。

In the second episode of the Energy Matters program, the production team visits the Weathertex factory in New South Wales to explore the production of its natural timber cladding panels and uncover how sustainable materials are fundamentally reshaping the way the construction industry operates.

Building Emissions Under Scrutiny - Transformation Is Inevitable

這使得「淨零建材」成為因應氣候政策與市場轉型的關鍵。配合2023年新版《國家建築法典》（NCC）上路，以及將住宅能源效率提高至「七星級」的NatHERS評等制度，建築業者面臨雙重壓力：不只要蓋得節能，還得選用碳足跡低的建材。

According to the Climate Council of Australia, building operations account for about one-quarter of the nation’s carbon emissions. This includes not only operational energy use but also embodied carbon - the emissions from the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and installation of building materials.

As a result, “net-zero materials” are becoming critical to meeting climate policy goals and market expectations. With the 2023 revision of the National Construction Code (NCC) and the introduction of the upgraded 7-Star NatHERS rating system, builders now face dual pressures: to design energy-efficient homes and to use low-carbon materials.

材料選擇改變施工生態

以木質材料為例，不僅來源天然，其在生命週期中還可「儲碳」，並具備良好的絕熱與低熱橋特性（thermal bridging）。若選用當地生產、未經化學加工的木料，不僅減碳效果顯著，也有助於提升住宅的能源評等表現。

同時，這類新型建材在價格、施工效率上也日漸具備競爭力。許多永續建材相容於預鑄模組（prefab）與現場快速安裝程序，有助於建案如期如質完工，成為建商與建築師的新寵。

Weathertex：澳洲原創的靜默創新者

Weathertex的總部設於新州的Heatherbrae，產品配方簡單到令人驚訝：97% 天然硬木纖維 + 3% 天然蠟。完全不使用膠水、樹脂或甲醛，是業界極少見的「零毒性」建材。

Weathertex董事總經理Jason O’Hagan在《Road to ZERO》播客第61集中指出：「我們提供澳洲和全球建築市場一個真正永續的外牆選項，而且不需多花錢。」

Material Choices Reshape the Construction Ecosystem

Take timber, for example. Not only is it a natural resource, but it can also store carbon throughout its life cycle and provides excellent thermal insulation with minimal thermal bridging. When sourced locally and left chemically untreated, timber significantly reduces embodied emissions while helping homes achieve better energy ratings.

These new materials are also becoming increasingly competitive in terms of price and installation efficiency. Many are compatible with prefabrication and fast on-site assembly, allowing construction projects to stay on schedule and budget - making them favorites among builders and architects.

Weathertex: Australia’s Quiet Sustainability Innovator

Headquartered in Heatherbrae, NSW, Weathertex uses a surprisingly simple formula: 97% natural hardwood fiber and 3% natural wax. No glues, resins, or formaldehyde - making it one of the few truly toxin-free building materials on the market.

其產品不僅100%澳洲製造、可回收，還獲得國際第三方永續認證，包括 Global GreenTag（全球環保標籤）與 Declare Label，並成為全球第一個獲得 Platinum（白金級）認證 的天然包覆板製造商。

不只是綠色認證，更是實用首選

Weathertex的材料不僅通過環保門檻，實際應用上也展現高度彈性。無論是大型模組化建築、建商開發案，還是家庭DIY改造，都因其耐用性與安裝簡便而備受歡迎。這也意味著永續選材不再侷限於高端設計，而是逐漸普及至大眾市場。

In episode 61 of the Road to ZERO podcast, Managing Director Jason O’Hagan said, “We offer the Australian and global construction markets a truly sustainable cladding option - without the premium price tag.”

Weathertex products are 100% made in Australia, fully recyclable, and internationally certified by third-party sustainability organizations, including Global GreenTag and Declare Label. Notably, it was the first natural cladding manufacturer globally to achieve Platinum certification.

Not Just Green Labels - A Practical First Choice

Weathertex’s materials go beyond passing environmental criteria - they’re highly versatile in real-world applications. Whether used in modular buildings, large-scale developments, or DIY renovations, the products are favored for their durability and easy installation. This proves that sustainable materials are no longer limited to high-end architecture - they’re becoming mainstream and accessible.

從實驗室走向工地：永續建材的未來

From Lab to Job Site: The Future of Sustainable Materials

在全球建築界追求「全生命週期淨零碳」的大趨勢下，澳洲業者像Weathertex這樣的創新方案，不僅回應了環境危機，也為業界建立了新的材料標準。透過簡單、透明、經濟的產品設計，Weathertex不僅贏得國際市場肯定，也為澳洲本土產業注入新的永續價值。

As the global construction industry moves toward net-zero carbon across the full building lifecycle, Australian innovators like Weathertex are not only responding to environmental challenges but also setting new material standards for the sector. Through simple, transparent, and affordable product design, Weathertex has earned international recognition while infusing new sustainable value into the local industry.

未來，隨著建築法規持續提高標準、碳交易與建築ESG報告趨於制度化，選擇像Weathertex這樣的天然低碳建材，不再只是良心選擇，而是成為建築企業與消費者共同邁向永續的必要之舉。

Looking ahead, as building regulations continue to tighten and carbon trading and ESG reporting become institutionalized, choosing natural, low-carbon materials like Weathertex will no longer be a matter of conscience - it will be a strategic necessity for both developers and consumers striving for a sustainable future.