Sustainability requires nuance
Sustainability in the construction sector is complex. It requires more than one solution or one figure. At Reynaers Aluminium, it’s all about balance — between performance and lifespan, between recycled and new raw materials, between people and the environment.
Under the motto Sustainability. From every angle. Reynaers Aluminium examines every dimension of sustainability to create buildings that are efficient today, adaptable tomorrow and still valuable the day after tomorrow.
A broader view than just CO₂ figures
The environmental impact of a building is often misjudged when only the CO₂ value of materials is considered. Only 30% of total CO₂ emissions come from the materials used to construct the building and the processes at the end of the building’s life. The remaining 70% is generated during the building’s use phase: heating, cooling, maintenance and operation.
That is why Reynaers Aluminium looks at the entire life cycle of buildings — from the extraction of raw materials to maintenance, renovation and reuse. Only by seeing this connection can we get an accurate picture of sustainability.
The optimal mix: our commitment to low-carbon aluminium
Aluminium is one of the most circular materials in the world, with an average lifespan of more than 50 years. 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in circulation, and 95% of scrap is recycled. However, the recycled supply in Europe is only sufficient to cover 36% of total demand.
That is why Reynaers Aluminium has opted for the optimal mix: recycled aluminium combined with new aluminium produced using renewable energy sources. This creates low-carbon aluminium, which forms the basis of a balanced composition with a low carbon footprint and maximum circularity — an approach that is both sustainable and realistic.
Concrete progress towards 90% low-carbon aluminium
Reynaers Aluminium is taking clear steps to reduce its CO₂ emissions. Today, 77% of its aluminium portfolio already consists of low-carbon aluminium. The current average is 4.13 kg CO₂ per kg of aluminium. By 2030, Reynaers Aluminium aims to further reduce this value to 2.81 kg CO₂/kg and increase the share of low-carbon aluminium to more than 90%.
These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), through which the Reynaers Group is committed to reducing its total CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 2019.
For Reynaers Aluminium, sustainability is all about collaboration
True sustainability has many angles. Sustainable buildings are created when energy efficiency, lifespan, affordability, recyclability, ease of dismantling and regulatory compliance are in balance.
At Reynaers Aluminium, progress starts with asking the right questions and seeking balanced answers. In open collaboration with architects, manufacturers and other partners, we enhance the sustainable value of every project. Our vision is based on partnership: only together can we achieve lasting progress – in technology, construction quality and social impact.
This is how we put our philosophy of Together for better into practice: building together for a better, more sustainable and more valuable future.
“Real progress comes when we are willing to weigh up the options, ask questions and work together to find balanced solutions,” says Guillaume Nijdam, Group Sustainability Manager.
Discover how we are building a sustainable future together
