PRESS RELEASE
14 January 2013
360° sustainability
Value-oriented perspectives for green buildings
Bielefeld/Munich. Schüco supports investors, architects, building
consultants and partners in all project phases - from the initial
idea through to dismantling a façade. This includes advice on
certification, designs using sustainable systems, environmental
product declarations and recycling the building envelope.
Investors and building consultants for commercial buildings
increasingly strive for certification in accordance with DGNB,
LEED or BREEAM. These require sophisticated systems for the
building envelope and holistic planning for a façade. The central
issues are optimised and durable components, fabrication,
installation, maintenance, dismantling and recycling. It is
important to use materials with very good recycling potential,
such as aluminium or PVC-U. Schüco calls this holistic approach
"360° sustainability".
Consultation and planning with long-term perspectives
The key to 360° sustainability is environmental product declarations
(EPDs) for all the systems used. At Schüco, their creation is integrated
in the SchüCal calculation software. From July 2013, the new building
product regulations also make provision for the sustainability of
building products, which can then be certified by means of EPDs. The
integrated approach to construction and calculation means that
specifications offer reliable planning and cost certainty. The contracted
partners are also available following completion of a building envelope
for low energy consumption and long-term maintenance.
Dismantling and recycling of façades
Dismantling and recycling are important at the end of the utilisation
phase of a building envelope. Old PVC-U windows have long been
recycled by the Rewindo organisation and re-used for window profiles.
For aluminium windows and façades, a powerful recycling
organisation was set up in 2011 under the umbrella of A/U/F in
Germany using certified recyclers. Old aluminium is used to make
new, high-quality profiles as often as required and with a high degree
of energy efficiency. In addition to a long life cycle, aluminium façades
and windows are ecologically of equal value to other materials in
terms of the functional and economical benefits.
An holistic approach
A broad vision in product development with regard to aspects of
sustainability allows an holistic approach to business in terms of
quality and long-term effects on the environment in the fabrication and
operation of buildings. Schüco products in windows and façades have
considerable influence on the quality of building envelopes. The
reduction of emissions and the use of heating and cooling energy in
particular is, of course, also a decisive factor in building technology.
However, the holistic approach also includes other significant factors,
such as durability and resistance, in addition to considerations for the
end of life process for the product and recycling. A further aspect is
the recurrent issue of choosing the most environmentally friendly raw
materials, e.g. plastics.
Aluminium as a material
Aluminium has been a well-established material for recycling for a
long time. This means that today, around 75% of the aluminium
produced since 1888 is still part of the recycling cycle. This is due in
large part to the endless recycling potential that aluminium offers, with
no loss of quality. Moreover, only around 5% of the energy required
for the production of primary aluminium is required for recycling
processes.
Recycled aluminium is therefore a material, resource and energy store
for future generations, which can be reused countless times by means
of recycling without any reduction in quality or loss of its properties.
Closed recycling cycles are a living reality for metals and are simple to
set up. Large numbers of window and façade units are fed back into
the aluminium raw material cycle every day.
Schüco AWS 90.SI+ Green window system and FW 50+.SI Green
façade system
Schüco is introducing a new generation of products with the Schüco
AWS 90.SI+ Green window system and the Schüco FW 50+.SI Green
façade system. This generation responds to further, holistic market
requirements by using pioneering, ecological materials. For these
products, caster oil, for example, is a significant renewable resource
used in the polyamide insulating bars and pressure plates. This allows
Schüco to create production-ready aluminium windows and façades
with significant proportions of renewable raw materials in the plastics,
and to partly substitute raw fossil materials. Inspection by an
independent certification process (DIN CERTCO) guarantees that the
proportion of renewable raw materials strived for is also achieved.
Schüco – System solutions for windows, doors, façades and solar products.
Together with its worldwide network of partners, architects, specifiers and investors,
Schüco creates sustainable building envelopes which focus on people and their
needs in harmony with nature and technology. The highest demands for design,
comfort and security can be met, whilst simultaneously reducing CO2 emissions
through energy efficiency, thereby conserving natural resources. The company and its
Metal, PVC-U and New Energies divisions deliver tailored products for newbuilds and
renovations, designed to meet individual user needs in all climate zones. With more
than 5000 employees and 12,000 partner companies, Schüco is active in 78 countries
and achieved a turnover of 2.23 billion euros in 2011. For more information, visit
www.schueco.com
Further information about publication:
Schüco International KG
Ulrike Krüger
Karolinenstr.Karolinenstr. 1 - 15
33609 Bielefeld, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)521 783-803
Fax: +49 (0)521 783-657
E-mail: [email protected]
Picture credits: Schüco International KG
360° cycle of sustainability for Schüco and its partners.
Pillars of sustainable product development.
Schüco is introducing a new generation of products with the Schüco
AWS 90.SI+ Green window system. This generation responds to
further, holistic market requirements by using pioneering, ecological
materials.