Gulf Construction Online - Reynaers secures key ‘green’ certifications

Glass & Metal

Reynaers’ Hi-Finity ... awarded Minergie certificate.

Reynaers secures key ‘green’ certifications

01 October 2019

Reynaers Aluminium, a leading European aluminium systems provider, has recently achieved the Cradle-to-Cradle certificate (C2C) for a number of its advanced window, door and façade solutions, recognising its strong commitment to the circular economy.

With this C2C label, in addition to its Passive House and Minergie certificates, Reynaers Aluminium meets the strictest sustainability requirements in terms of material, product and energy performance.

The Belgium-based company continues to invest heavily in sustainable innovation. Through this strategy, the company has grown to become a European leader in sustainable high-tech architectural aluminium window, door and façade systems, says Ali Khalaf, managing director of the Bahrain-headquartered Reynaers Middle East, the regional office of Reynaers Aluminium.

The prestigious Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute assessed a range of Reynaers Aluminium’s solutions in five different categories. These varied from the quality and durability of the material used to ethical practices adhered to during the production process.

Its C2C-certified products include the CS 77 and CS 77-AP, and SlimLine 38 door systems; the CS 77, CS 77-AP and CS 77-HV, SlimLine 38, and Masterline 8 window systems; and CW 50-HI curtain-wall system.

“In short, the Cradle-to-Cradle certificate guarantees that no harmful materials are used; that Reynaers’ systems are made with due respect for raw materials, energy and water usage and that they can be recycled easily. In doing so, C2C-certified systems offer users the guarantee of environmentally conscious and building’s circular economy,” says Khalaf.

Sustainability, however, is not restricted to material usage: energy efficiency is also an important point of attention for Reynaers Aluminium. Its continued investments in research and development resulted in the Passive House certificate and the Swiss Minergie label for several of its systems. These energy-efficient solutions can be used in low- and energy-neutral homes and thus contribute to a sustainable environment.

Eight Minergie certificates were awarded for Reynaers Aluminium products in four series: Hi-Finity, CS 86-HI, CS 77, and CP 155-LS.

The Passive House certificates were awarded for the MasterLine 10 window, and MasterLine 8 inward and outward opening door systems.

For architects and builders, it pays to build with C2C, Passive House or Minergie certified systems. The principles of these certificates are closely aligned with Breeam (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the internationally recognised labels that determine the sustainability levels of buildings.

In addition, Reynaers Aluminium’s systems also fulfil the aesthetic expectations of architects and end-users with their range of design variants that suit different types of homes and buildings.

Commenting on the importance of sustainability and circular economy, Erik Rasker, CTO of Reynaers, says: “More than 40 per cent of the global energy consumption is linked to the heating, cooling, lighting and general management of the buildings in which we work and live. In order to meet the current global climate targets, we must reduce that percentage by at least 60 per cent by 2050.

“Our company has excellent insulating and performant systems to reduce the impact of new and existing buildings on the environment. The C2C label and the Passive House and Minergie certificates are proof of our commitment to a greener world for ourselves and future generations.”

Also in-house, Reynaers Aluminium continues to work on an optimal sustainability policy. Around the Reynaers site, a large green zone has been developed that ensures optimal and sustainable water management.

In addition, the company has for years been focusing on alternative and creative transport solutions for commuter traffic: from electric bicycles and carpooling to company cars with low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

With this policy, Reynaers Aluminium has seen its CO2 footprint falling sharply over a short period. The company was also amongst the first to firmly opt for the large-scale use of solar panels. All initiatives relating to sustainability are encouraged and in April, CSR awards were presented to the subsidiaries with the best projects for improving the sustainability of Reynaers.

Reynaers Aluminium is a leading European specialist that manufactures and markets innovative and sustainable aluminium solutions for windows, doors, curtain-walls, sliding systems, sun-screening and conservatories.

It is part of the umbrella Reynaers Group, which enfolds its several diverse companies in three business units, namely aluminium architectural solutions, steel architectural solutions and building products.

Founded in 1965, the Reynaers Group is active in more than 70 countries worldwide with 40 subsidiaries, 2,200 employees. The Reynaers Campus located in Duffel, is the corporate headquarters of the group.

Reynaers Middle East, headquartered in Bahrain since 2004, caters to the entire GCC region in addition to Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq. It also has branch offices in UAE and Egypt.

This year Reynaers Middle East is celebrating its 15th anniversary in the region.