How SMEs and Scale Ups are catalyzing decarb and industrial change: Peter Dushenski, Managing Director of GlasCurtain

In this episode Peter Dushenski, Managing Director of GlasCurtain (building materials producer), talks with Alex about the role that nimble and innovative companies can play in driving innovation and decarb activity by larger players.

If you’re someone working in a start up or SME you’ll enjoy this as a clarion call for your work in the climate space – and if you’re working in a larger business, its worth listening in to hear examples of how nimble companies are adapting products for the low carbon market.

The conversation explores what it will take to see more take up of greener/lower co2 materials in construction, how some of the seen and unseen barriers can be managed and GlasCurtain’s own growth in this space.

Show links:

- Connect with Peter Dushenski and the team at GlasCurtain

- Learn more about range of projects Peter is involved in

- Follow Alex Cameron on LinkedIn and find how to get involved with the membership and work of Decarb Connect

- Hear Peter as he speaks at Decarb Connect Canada (Toronto, November 2024)

Learn about our Sponsor: Janno Media

Many thanks to our production partner and sponsor Janno Media for their support in delivering this podcast. They continue to facilitate great conversations that connect us with our audience, and their skills and expertise mean we can concentrate exclusively on generating great content to engage, inform and inspire.

Want to learn more about Decarb Connect?

Our global membership platform, events and facilitated introductions support the acceleration of industrial decarbonization around the world. Our clients include the most energy-intensive industrials from cement, metals and mining, glass, ceramics, chemicals, O&G and many more along with technology disruptors, investors and advisors.

If you enjoyed this conversation, find out about our portfolio of events in US, Canada, UK and Europe – or explore our Decarbonisation Leaders Network (DLN), and learn why more than 200 members from the energy-intensive sectors have joined to share insights, meet partners who can accelerate their net zero plans and why it’s the fastest growing network of its kind.

1:15 Intro

2:34 Who is Peter Dushenski and his journey into the sustainable building with GlasCurtain

6:26 How GlasCurtain’s system reduces both operational and embodied carbon, contributing to decarbonization in building projects

8:39 Why startups are crucial for industry transformation

15:27 How do we help disruptive start-ups survive the early stages of business development?

18:30 The significance of critical mass and infrastructure in driving innovation

21:32 Creating Markets for Lower CO₂ Products

25:58 Balancing Aesthetics, Functionality, and Sustainability in building design

29:32 Integrating Carbon Reduction with the Value Proposition

32.34 The Value Chain Challenge for Green Materials

38:03 Influencing the Decision Makers: Architects and Beyond

43.41 How do we keep the momentum behind decarbonisation

46:44 Collaborating across industries at Decarb Connect Canada 2024

48:36 Closing remarks

• (01:15) - Intro
• (00:00) - Chapter 2
• (02:34) - Who is Peter Dushenski and his journey into the sustainable building with GlasCurtain
• (00:00) - Chapter 4
• (06:26) - How GlasCurtain’s system reduces both operational and embodied carbon, contributing to decarbonization in building projects
• (00:00) - Chapter 6
• (08:39) - Why startups are crucial for industry transformation
• (00:00) - Chapter 8
• (15:27) - How do we help disruptive start-ups survive the early stages of business development?
• (00:00) - Chapter 10
• (18:30) - The significance of critical mass and infrastructure in driving innovation
• (00:00) - Chapter 12
• (21:32) - Creating Markets for Lower CO₂ Products
• (00:00) - Chapter 14
• (25:58) - Balancing Aesthetics, Functionality, and Sustainability in building design
• (00:00) - Chapter 16
• (29:32) - Integrating Carbon Reduction with the Value Proposition
• (00:00) - Chapter 18
• (00:32) - The Value Chain Challenge for Green Materials
• (00:00) - Chapter 20
• (38:03) - Influencing the Decision Makers: Architects and Beyond
• (00:00) - Chapter 22
• (00:43) - How do we keep the momentum behind decarbonisation
• (00:00) - Chapter 24
• (46:44) - Collaborating across industries at Decarb Connect Canada 2024
• (00:00) - Chapter 26
• (48:36) - Closing remarks
• (00:00) - Chapter 28