German 'Innovationsbogen' have the scoop! Who will follow in the Netherlands?

The first building systems made of 100% recycled aluminum

Accelerating its ambition and commitment to sustainable development, WICONA, part of Hydro Building Systems, is the first aluminum building systems company to produce window, door and curtain wall profiles from 100% recycled aluminum. Hydro CIRCAL 100R is made from 100% recycled end-of-life aluminum (post-consumer scrap) and enables WICONA to produce profiles with a carbon footprint close to 0 (0.5 kg CO2e/kg aluminum on average); the lowest in the world. Exclusive to WICONA, Hydro CIRCAL 100R is proof of the brand's innovative spirit and commitment to respond to the needs of specifiers. But also to go beyond regulatory requirements. In doing so, WICONA is taking a leading role in decarbonizing the buildings of the future.

Strong support

Norway's Hydro is currently the only producer in the world that can supply recycled aluminum with a carbon footprint close to 0. The group has set up its own recycling system for this purpose. The plant in Dormagen, Germany, processes aluminum from windows and facades of buildings that have reached the end of their life cycle. This aluminum is crushed and separated from all foreign materials and nonmetals, then shredded into small particles. The aluminum chips are transported to Hydro's facility in Clervaux, Luxembourg, where they are processed into low-carbon billets - Hydro CIRCAL 100R and 75R. "Thanks to a new technology, we can determine exactly the right alloy for the production of this 100% recycled aluminum. For example, for application in the construction industry," says Raimond Stassen, project manager at WICONA. "This makes the addition of primary aluminum unnecessary. This innovation and the key to its success are the result of our acquired knowledge in the production of Hydro CIRCAL 75R; aluminum made from at least 75% recycled end-of-life aluminum (post-consumer scrap)." Hydro CIRCAL 75R has been available since 2019.

The first projects

Hydro's extrusion plants in Toulouse (France) and Bellenberg (Germany) are currently delivering their first projects. A total of 130 tons of aluminum profiles were produced from Hydro CIRCAL 100R for these two projects. With a combined carbon footprint of 65 tons, this is a reduction of 800 tons compared to the carbon footprint of standard aluminum produced in Europe.

Scoop for the 'Innovationsbogen'

In Augsburg, Germany, Hydro CIRCAL 100R was applied for the first time at the 'Innovationsbogen'. This 145-meter-long building, designed by Hadi Teherani Architects and located at the entrance to the new Innovation Park, inspires with its unique arched architecture and future-oriented sustainability. 

"The goal in this project is to achieve LEED Platinum certification," Stassen knows.
"The world's first facade made of 100% discarded aluminum makes a decisive contribution to this." 

The facade is being realized with a project-specific version of WICTEC EL evo element facade from WICONA. "For the production of the façade elements - which feature integrated awnings and a retaining plate as fall protection - the aluminum alloy Hydro CIRCAL 100R is being used for the first time in the world. As a result, the CO2 footprint is less than 0.5 kg CO2/kg aluminum, while the European average is 6.7 kg CO2 per kg aluminum. With the 85 tons of Hydro CIRCAL 100R used, this corresponds to a CO2 reduction of 527 tons."

Delighted

The special construction was designed in close cooperation with Hadi Teherani, PBI Entwick-lung Innovativer Fassaden GmbH (Wertingen), Schindler Fenster + Fassaden (Roding) and WICONA. Managing Director Michael Schindler: "We are delighted to be involved in this groundbreaking project. For us as facade builders, it is always of enormous importance to create sustainable products and to produce them in a particularly careful manner." 

Sustainable facade architecture with 100% recycled discarded aluminum: it will soon be a reality in the "Innovationsbogen" in Augsburg. Following the German market, WICONA and Hydro also expect great interest from the Netherlands in Hydro CIRCAL 100R. "We are challenging Dutch clients to build the first project in this innovative and low-carbon alloy."