'Sustainable aluminum cladding and façade filling elements for NDC Jumbo'

During the construction of Jumbo's national distribution center (NDC) in Nieuwegein, sustainable building materials were used wherever possible. In addition to the use of concrete, steel and plastics with a high recyclable value, aluminum was used in many places. For example, for the building facade. Commissioned by Bouwbedrijf van de Ven, the NDC has been equipped with aluminum facades. For the entrance building, aluminum curtain walls were chosen that not only allow for large spans, but also give the whole building a modern, sleek and slim appearance. In addition, aluminum frames, windows and doors were used throughout. The curtain walls, frames, windows and doors were manufactured from the aluminum profile systems of SAPA, part of Hydro Building Systems. Frame Garant was responsible for the production, delivery and installation of the systems.

"Based on the design by architect Davinci Vastgoed, we provided the architectural drawing work for all aluminum frames, windows, doors and curtain walls. Including associated architectural details," says Rudy Heijligers, owner of Kozijn Garant. "The work planners at Bouwbedrijf van de Ven checked all the drawings and provided feedback where necessary, after which we made a few more optimizations. After approval by the contractor, we immediately started our production."

Minimal residual pieces

All the profiles were delivered in 6.5- and 7-meter lengths in crates to Kozijn Garant's factory in Cuijk, Heijligers says. "Upon arrival, we extensively checked all the profiles. A sawing machine then cut the products to size, with a saw list ensuring correct dimensions. All profiles were cut as efficiently as possible in the process, keeping residual pieces and waste to a minimum."

hefty dimensions, even in hard-to-reach places

The machining department included drilling the holes, milling ditches/drainage and other preparatory work. "Then we assembled all the profiles with ridge corners. Then the rubbers and hardware products were installed. We also hung the windows and doors, after which the products were delivered to the project complete and in one go. A regular installation partner assembled the frames, windows, doors and curtain walls in a sophisticated construction sequence and installed all the glazing." In the process, he faced several challenges, Heijligers says. "In this project, we had to deal with large glass sections 1,250 mm wide and 4,500 mm high, which had to be installed using a special crane and placement robot. Also in the hard-to-reach places, for which we had to make specific provisions. However, thanks to good preparation, planning and coordination, the assembly went off without a hitch. We therefore look back on a pleasant and well-run project, in which we worked very pleasantly with all construction partners."

SAPA is one of the larger suppliers of aluminum building systems in Europe and, like WICONA, is part of Hydro Building Systems, a system supplier of aluminum windows, doors and facade systems. Hydro Building Systems belongs to the Hydro Group, a world leader in aluminum with 35,000 employees in more than 40 countries. The Hydro Group is fully committed to sustainability and reuse of materials.

Hydro CIRCAL for system solutions

"Raw materials are finite. Urban development without reusing materials is unthinkable today," says Perry Hermans, Country Manager at Hydro Building Systems Netherlands. "Not for nothing is corporate sustainability also the common thread at Hydro. We would like to create a livable society, by developing innovative, sustainable products and solutions. The Group consciously chooses not to use materials that are harmful to the environment and to keep CO2 emissions during the production process extremely low."

Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C), or reusing existing products from society as raw materials for a new product, is a priority, he says. "Recently, we developed the revolutionary Hydro CIRCAL for system solutions, one of the most sustainable aluminum alloys in the world. CIRCAL is top-quality aluminum that consists of 75% recycled end-of-lifecycle aluminum (post-consumer scrap), recovered from windows and facades of existing buildings." 

Aluminum smelting for new applications consumes only 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminum, says Hermans. "So the higher the recycled post-consumer scrap content, the better for our cities and the environment. Moreover, aluminum is infinitely recyclable without loss of quality and material properties. The production process is fully traceable and the product is certified by an independent body (DNV-GL). Hydro CIRCAL has the lowest carbon footprint in the world: approximately 2.0 kg CO2 (1.5 - 2.3 kg CO2) per kilogram of aluminum. This is 84% lower than the world average for primary extraction."

Sustainable certification of buildings

Hydro's sustainable system solutions guarantee project developers, architects and investors that their projects meet the requirements of sustainable certification. "Our systems hold the sustainable product pass from IFT Rosenheim and the Minergie label," says Hermans. "With Hydro CIRCAL, our building partners' designs will already meet future standards and building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM and DGNB. The more projects are built with sustainable aluminum system solutions, the more we can optimize the eco-balance of the material and the building. Because one thing is certain: the building of the future will be realized with renewable resources. Hydro Building Systems Benelux is a reliable partner in this."