Toward a circular economy

Take-back guarantee keeps raw materials from aluminum natural ventilators, smoke heat ventilators and glass roof systems in the chain

Kingspan Group wants to protect the planet and keep the world livable, safe and healthy for future generations. Reducing our CO2 emissions, reusing rainwater and using renewable energy are essential for this, which also applies to high-quality recycling at end of product life. With a take-back guarantee on its aluminum natural ventilators, aluminum smoke heat ventilators as well as glass roof systems, Kingspan Light + Air is committed to this as well, with as much as 90% of the product mass being processed into high-quality new raw material.

The new services fit nicely with Kingspan Group's Planet Passionate sustainability program, which sets ambitious targets for 2020-2030. “Here the focus is on reducing our CO2 footprint, zero net energy, minimal waste streams and a zero-emission company vehicle fleet,” says Niels de Zaaijer, Managing Compliance & Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE) at Kingspan Light + Air. “But also on supporting (local) initiatives. For example, to reduce the plastic soup in our oceans, where the collected plastic waste is given a useful new purpose.” 

Targets recalibrated

A key target is that 100% of the energy used by the Kingspan Group comes from renewable sources, De Zaaijer says. “We have now achieved this target. The ambition for 2030 is therefore to generate 60% of the renewable energy at our own production sites. And we have also recalibrated our targets for 2030 in other areas.” 

Continuous development

When it comes to water, for example, the group aims to collect one hundred million liters of rainwater for reuse in production by 2030. Moreover, in terms of transportation, a zero-emission company vehicle fleet is being pursued. “We are also determined to get the CO2 emissions from our production to as close to zero as possible as well as to reduce the CO2 intensity in our primary supply chain,” says De Zaaijer. “Our system solutions naturally go along with this and are constantly being developed, with an eye on sustainability, material reduction and a high insulation value. But also with an eye for circularity. Our Take Back schemes with take-back promises are ideally in line with this.”

Take-back certificate

From the beginning of December, Kingspan Light + Air's aluminum natural ventilators, aluminum smoke heat ventilators and aluminum glass roof systems will be offered with a take-back certificate, which guarantees free take-back as well as proper end-of-life processing. “We have started several partnerships with local parties for this purpose, which also guarantees processing in the Netherlands,” De Zaaijer said. “The products do not cross borders. Because our processors are well acquainted with the composition of our systems, we can demonstrably process at least 90% (!) of the mass into new raw material in the highest possible quality.”

High-quality recycling

According to De Zaaijer, the choice to start precisely with the aluminum natural ventilators, aluminum smoke heat ventilators and glass roof systems is a logical one. “These products consist mainly of aluminum, which can be recycled excellently and without loss of quality. The same applies to the clean glass in our glass roof systems, which enables a recycling rate of 90% of the product mass.”

No futures

With an average lifespan of 15 to 25 years, Kingspan Light + Air's recycling ambition still seems to be future proof, but nothing could be further from the truth. “We are also taking our responsibility now, by taking back systems that we are replacing now and that meet our recycling requirements free of charge for recycling,” says De Zaaijer. “In the future, we also want to make our service and high recycling rates possible for our other product groups.” To be continued, no doubt.