First near-zero aluminium delivered for building market
The first aluminium profiles made with 100 % recycled post-consumer metal have been delivered by Hydro to the Innovationsbogen project in Augsburg, Germany.
The Hydro Circal 100R aluminium used in this project reduces the CO2 emissions by 527 tonnes and is enabling decarbonization of Europe’s building industry.
Hydro, through its building system brand Wicona, is the first aluminium producer in the world to deliver aluminium made with near-zero carbon footprint to a building project in Europe. Wicona will deliver door, window and curtain walling profiles made from 100 % recycled post-consumer aluminium. Near-zero aluminium is defined as aluminium with a footprint of less than 0.5 kg CO2e / kg aluminium throughout the value chain.
Decarbonizing the building and construction industry
“Covering such a high profile building in Europe with a near-zero aluminium façade is a milestone achievement for Hydro. This landmark project in Augsburg, Germany, is part of Hydro’s contribution to decarbonize the biggest industries in the world using low-carbon, recycled aluminium,” says Eivind Kallevik, head of Hydro Aluminium Metal.
In total, Wicona will deliver 85 tonnes of Hydro Circal 100R to the project. The use of post-consumer scrap significantly reduces the CO2 footprint compared to pre-consumer / process scrap as well as primary aluminium.
“Hydro Circal 100R has provided completely new possibilities for architects and builders to reduce the climate impact of buildings. With 100 % recycled post-consumer aluminium, we can make another step change and prove that zero-carbon footprint in buildings is possible. It is an important contribution to a fully circular economy,” says Henri Gomez, senior vice-president Hydro Building Systems.
Using 100 % post-consumer aluminium scrap is a challenge because of the many complex elements a product brings with it after it reaches end of life, such as paint, plastics and other contaminants.
“I am proud to say that our recycling organization has embraced the challenge of using complex scrap types. The production milestone was only possible because of our competent workforce and Hydro’s state-of-the-art recycling technology, which includes sorting, shredding and melting technologies,” says Kallevik.
About the Innovationsbogen Project
Innovationsbogen is the first construction project to be built as part of the new Walter Innovation Campus in the Augsburg Innovation Park. The construction of the building project in Augsburg is scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter this year. Hydro produced the first batch of Circal 100R in April 2022.
Hydro and US company Padnos have formed a joint venture to enable more upcycling of post-consumer aluminium scrap.
Hydro is to deliver recycled, low-carbon aluminium extrusions for the coming commercial e-vehicle with the UK start-up company Watt Electric Vehicles (WEVC).
The completion of a state-of-the art 25-MN extrusion press and a revamp project mark a step forward in Kautec’s commitment to innovation and excellence in aluminium extrusion.