Durable aluminum for the frames of DUI01

Hydro Building Systems Netherlands and Kozijn Garant are working together on project DUI01 in Duiven. We spoke to Marc van den Nieuwenhof, area manager of the Netherlands for Hydro Building Systems and Rudy Heijligers, owner of Kozijn Garant. "We have been working together for years and for us it is an important collaboration," Van den Nieuwenhof says. 

Hydro Building Systems Netherlands has been working on durable aluminum for years, incorporating it into window frames, among other things. "In the Netherlands we supply two brands, Sapa and Wicona. Kozijn Garant has been a loyal processor of Sapa for years, so we are also supplying this for this project." Heijligers agrees: "We have been working together for twenty years now. With Sapa we always come out of it. As an entrepreneur, I am always looking for short lines and easy collaborations, because why make it difficult for yourself?"

Traditionally, Hydro Building Systems has used hydropower to produce aluminum. "That makes our process much more sustainable. An important focus point for us is CO2 emissions. That's why we work with CIRCAL as a basis. That is aluminum of which at least 75 percent has already had a previous life. This is because you recycle aluminum without loss of quality. Therefore, I really see it as a product for the future."

Delivery time and construction time

Hydro Building Systems has a lot of experience with these types of large projects. Therefore, there are no real challenges beyond delivery and construction times, according to Van den Nieuwenhof. "We have to make sure that Kozijn Garant has all the materials on time so it can get to work." That's easier said than done. "There is a lot of fuss in the market because the insulating profiles contain not only aluminum, but also plastic. There were huge delivery problems with that, but I think we are now past the worst of it."

For Frame Garant, the challenge was more specific. Aluminum awnings will be suspended from the facade. These canopies consist of an aluminum frame covered with Alucobond sheeting that sticks out one and a half meters from the facade. So you have to take into account wind and possible snow loads. The profiles to the top must be sturdy and provide good fastening possibilities for the awnings.

Known Way

Kozijn Garant and client Wouters Schijndel work together more often. "Indeed, for more than 15 years," Heijligers explains. "In previous projects we have also used the Sapa frames, based on the CIRCAL aluminum. That familiar path is very nice in such large projects. We know we can rely on these products and
on this material."

Van den Nieuwenhof is pleased that the equipment has proven itself. "We know that in this market routine and trust are incredibly important. In big projects you have to be able to trust that things will just go well. We find CIRCAL very distinctive in terms of durability, but it is logical that processors look at reliability first."

Still, the preservation of aluminum is something for which Van den Nieuwenhof remains committed. "We are now working with Hydro CIRCAL 75R. That 75 stands for 75 percent circular aluminum. We call that post-consumer aluminum. That means that we have used the material somewhere else before, for example in a facade. The more recycled material we use in construction, the better it is for the environment." Heijligers concurs. "It's good to see that Hydro Building Systems has the goal of actively participating in the impact of construction on the climate. We are happy to participate in that. For us, aluminum is not only sustainable, but also reliable. It is light, strong and easy to maintain. Ideal stuff, in my eyes."