More than one carbon number
Often, building professionals looking to create a better future are concerned with one thing only: embodied carbon. True, limiting the embodied carbon footprint of raw materials is an important step. But when it comes to sustainability, short-sighted solutions are not the answer. Therefore, let us open the aperture and show you: there is more than one number to talk about.
What is your number?
The average carbon footprint of Reynaers Aluminium profiles in 2024 is 4.13 kg CO2e / kg aluminium (billet + extrusion). That is our number. And it is still declining, every day. Already 77% of our aluminium offer is low carbon. Though the question remains: how low can you go? Lower equals better, right?
In fact, there is more than meets the eye. This race to the bottom can only be reached by adding recycled aluminium to the mix. However, there is simply not enough recycled content to meet current demand. It is a zero-sum game. We cannot recycle our way out of the problem.
And looking at the bigger picture, raw construction materials account for only 30% of a building’s carbon footprint, aluminium profiles only for 3%. So, why this obsession?
This is exactly why it is important to see things… from every angle.
The optimal blend
At Reynaers Aluminium, we believe the most impactful approach for lowering the embodied CO2 of aluminium is in "the optimal blend". We take our fair share of the recycled content that is available and combine it with primary aluminium produced with clean energy. Thanks to our strong supplier network, our sourcing possibilities can be tailored to your needs.
This is a sustainable superpower.
