These are the world's very first bio-attributed PVC plastic window frames!

Frame partners hold firsts

Kömmerling Nederland and VHZ have a first with the development and application of the very first fossil-free window frame profiles in the world. Starting in early June, a large number of window frames based on bio-attributed PVC were installed in a sustainability project with 19 homes in Steenwijk, commissioned by Syntrus Achmea and contractor BAM Wonen. The cream-colored window frames were produced by Kumij and quite appropriately combined with (pine) green turn parts, underlining the green ambition of the stakeholders involved in both material and color.

With the development and application of the very first frame profiles made of fossil-free PVC, frame partners Kömmerling Nederland and VHZ are taking a big step in sustainability, in cooperation with raw material supplier Ineos Innovyn. "Bio-attributed PVC is a relatively new development, replacing fossil oil with a renewable vegetable oil," says Jelmer Bijlsma, Manager Sustainability & Innovation at Kömmerling Nederland. 

"This oil is a residual product from sustainable forestry and agriculture and does not compete with food production. In recent years, bio-attributed PVC has been used sparsely in the production of flooring and car tires, for example, but not before in a
plastic frame!" 

Jan Slagman, Commercial Director of Europrovyl and driver of sustainability and innovation at FTZ: "With this raw material adoption, we are taking important steps to realize significant CO2 reductions in the short term, in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement. Without compromising on quality, properties and lifespan. Windows based on fossil-free PVC are just as strong and stable as 'traditional' PVC and will also be registered in the National Environmental Database. We therefore expect that fossil-free window frames will eventually become the new standard."

Closed loop

Kömmerling has been at the forefront of sustainability for years. "Here we go beyond resounding declarations of intent," Bijlsma emphasizes. "Our ambition is to make a difference today for the world of tomorrow." 

Illustrative of this ambition is the focus on a closed material cycle. "We actively collect old plastic window frames, saw waste and residual pieces for recycling and equivalent reuse. In addition, granulate losses during our production are minimized. Within our production, no plastic fiber is discarded or downgraded; a true closed loop, in other words." 

Those who choose K-VISION ReFrame are even assured of 100% recycled material. "This saves substantially on raw materials, transportation and CO2 emissions, while the circular frame profile has the same quality and properties as a 'virgin' profile."

Kömmerling's efforts were recently rewarded with a category-1 product card for the K-VISION Trend and K-VISION Trend ReFrame systems in the National Environmental Database. "At 75 years, the lifespan of our K-VISION window frames is now the same as the buildings in which they are installed," Bijlsma says. 

"After that, the material can be reused over and over again. "The result is a very low MKI score, which means that our frame products guarantee a very low environmental impact and very high sustainability scores."

Maximum impact

VHZ also has a sustainable mission. The group of companies focuses on safe, comfortable and solid houses and buildings, with the most sustainable window frame solutions available. Four plastic window frame manufacturers (Europrovyl, Kumij, Smits Kozijnen and Transcarbo), an assembly company (Alwood Montage) and a repair and maintenance company (Kozijn Service Nederland) are represented within the group. 

"Our window frames are made from plasticizer-free unplastified PVC (PVC-u) and will last a lifetime, with minimal maintenance, maximum circularity and an insulation value that exceeds all alternative materials," Slagman says. 

"Moreover, we are highly committed to innovation and sustainability. To make maximum impact in our field, we actively cooperate with chain partners, of which Kömmerling is the most important player. After all, both the window frames of Europrovyl, Kumij and Smits Kozijnen are produced based on Kömmerling's profiles." VHZ has also recently achieved a number of category 1 registrations in the National Environmental Database.

The best performing window frames

If you look at the product level, Kömmerling and VHZ together mainly want to produce the best performing window frame products in the market, Bijlsma says. "Both in terms of service life and product performance." In this respect, recycled plastic continues to play an important role, Slagman emphasizes. "Our prediction for the future is that the recycled plastic will keep a place in the core of the profile, surrounded by a shell of new PVC. When this new PVC 100% is fossil-free, we will not only have the best of both worlds, but also a system that can sustain itself for a long time."