Sustainability

Sustainability in the building sector should be considered from many different angles, both on building and product level. Our joinery systems are made of one of the most circular materials available, aluminium. It can be recycled an infinite amount of times, without loss of quality. Moreover, as a standard, we provide low carbon building elements, such as low-carbon aluminium profiles and thermal breaks. Reynaers Aluminium is ASI Standard certified, meaning that the aluminium we use in our systems is ethically sourced, with respect for people and our planet. And we participate in local closed-loop systems to limit waste and support end-to-end traceability.

Next to responsible sourcing tactics, we apply Eco Design principles that help minimise the impact of our systems even further. Increasing the lifespan of our solutions and buildings starts at the drawing board by designing out waste, designing in modularity, designing for adaptability and flexibility, designing with disassembly in mind, ... Nothing is left to chance.

Most of our systems come in multiple insulation levels, down to Passive House thermal performance. By focusing on energy efficiency and weather performance, tested and verified in our expansive Technology Centre, we help limit the operational carbon emissions of buildings drastically.

Finally, by providing clear and official documentation, we can help professionals earn green building certificates and navigate sustainable legislation more easily. We are your expert guide that provide the right tools and solutions for your building needs.

While "low-carbon" primary aluminium is not formally defined, it encompasses all virgin material with a carbon footprint equal to or lower than 4.38 kgCO2/kg aluminium (billet + extrusion). In practice, low-carbon aluminium is a mix of recycled aluminium and low-carbon primary aluminium produced with clean energy.

For a full analysis of the topic, you can visit the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) website for more details.

A standard thermal break in Reynaers Aluminium windows, doors and curtain wall is made of polyamide - a high-performance polymer - reinforced with glass fibre. That's roughly 75% polyamide and 20% glass fibre. Low-carbon thermal breaks use the same materials, but with one key difference: the polyamide is 100% recycled. So, low-carbon thermal break = 75% polyamide (100% recycled) + 25% glass fibre.

This is what is expected by the EU Green Deal to decarbonise the building sector.

The average carbon footprint of our aluminium profiles in 2025 is 3.31 kg CO2e/kg aluminium (billet + extrusion), which is a -35% reduction compared to our 2019 baseline. We plan to further reduce it to 2.81 by 2030 (-46% vs. 2019), which is in line with EU Green Deal legislation.

Additionally, more than 80% of our aluminium supply consists of low-carbon aluminium (European distribution network).

Sustainability. From Every Angle is the stance that Reynaers Aluminium takes on how the business can support the building sector and its partners in the value chain to become more sustainable. The messaging focuses on the many dimensions of sustainability in the construction sector, looking beyond carbon figures as such and considering the impact of building materials and processes during the full lifecycle of a building.

Reynaers Act is the over-arching corporate sustainability program of Reynaers Group, launched in 2021. It encompasses many different sustainable initiatives, including the yearly sustainability report "Our sustainable road ahead".

Sustainability in the building sector is a fast-paced topic, one that is ever-evolving, multi-layered and complex. For many dimensions, the construction sector is still at an early stage, exploring the different questions. And not all questions have ready answers.

Besides the dimensions we mention on our website, we keep a close eye on ongoing evolutions and anticipate trends with an open mindset to better answer the question: "What makes a building sustainable?"

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Aluminium is one of the most circular materials used in construction. It can be recycled an infinite number of times, without losing its structural or aesthetic properties. In fact, 95% of aluminium used in buildings is recovered and reintroduced into new products, reducing the need for primary raw materials and lowering the environmental impact of future projects.

However, there's a catch. 75% of aluminium ever produced is currently still in use, which makes recycled aluminium a coveted material that is hard to come by. In Europe, recycled supply will never meet demand, which is why Reynaers Aluminium prefers to take its fair share of the recycled content and mix it with primary aluminium produced with clean energy to create low-carbon aluminium.

A circular and sustainable value chain is a closed-loop system focused on ethical sourcing, reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling.

We focus on low-carbon building elements, responsible sourcing practices and material take-back schemes to involve our partners across the value chain and make a positive impact on the carbon impact of our processes and buildings alike.

By integrating sustainability into the design stage, we ensure lasting, future-ready solutions. We call this 'value engineering'. To empower our partners even more, we offer reliable tools and credible insights as an expert partner. Traceability of information, support in achieving green building certifications, and EU Green Deal compliance are key concerns.

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a global non-profit organisation that sets sustainability standards for the entire aluminium value chain, from raw material extraction to recycling. Its certification system verifies that aluminium is produced, sourced and processed according to strict environmental, social and governance criteria.

By working with ASI-certified partners like Reynaers Aluminium, you can help ensure responsible aluminium production, transparency in the supply chain, and continuous improvements in sustainability performance.

ASI certification promotes responsible sourcing by setting clear sustainability criteria for every stage of aluminium production and processing. Companies certified under the ASI Performance Standard must demonstrate compliance with environmental and social requirements through independent audits.

By supporting the ASI framework, Reynaers Aluminium strengthens transparency across its supply chain and helps drive the transition towards more sustainable aluminium solutions for windows, doors and façade systems.

At Reynaers Aluminium, we are convinced you must consider sustainability from every angle if you want to see the bigger picture. Is the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative the perfect framework to ensure responsible sourcing? Not necessarily. Is it the holy grail to help build a more sustainable future? Probably not.

However, ASI is living proof of a sector-wide commitment to do better. It is an acknowledgement of the industry that when it comes to the material's journey from bauxite mines to the end user, changes need to be made for the planet and people. While it will not solve all problems, ASI certification is a step in the right direction.

ASI certification provides independent verification that aluminium is responsibly produced and sourced. The standard addresses key sustainability topics such as greenhouse-gas emissions, resource management, biodiversity, labour rights and occupational health and safety across the aluminium supply chain. 

For architects, developers and fabricators, specifying ASI-certified aluminium increases confidence that building materials meet recognised sustainability standards and support responsible sourcing in construction projects.