Pioneering in circularity within the aluminum window, door and facade industry

As a leader in the aluminum window, door and facade industry, Intal wants to be a showcase in all areas: sustainability, circularity, corporate culture and LEAN production. Very ambitious? Perhaps. But the company is making every effort to achieve its vision and mission. 

Circular business

Intal considers it important and natural to contribute to making the world a better place. "We believe in sustainability and a circular economy and are taking big steps to contribute to that," says Rudy Schipper of Intal. "We do this in various ways: for example, we invest in our people, new premises, our products, new technologies and processes. We keep our ecological footprint as small as possible by, for example, separating waste, reusing materials as much as possible and working paperless." But Intal goes much further than that.

Circular products and processes

"For the production of our aluminum window frames and curtain walls, we work with circular aluminum. This aluminum is processed into facade products in an energy-efficient manner in an optimally designed production process. Our sustainable facade solutions meet the highest quality standards and insulation values. We work according to the LEAN philosophy, where efficiency is the starting point. In addition, we use state-of-the-art machine technology, with which we reduce lead times, achieve higher productivity and create high-quality products." As a profile house and system processor in one, with Intal having and manufacturing everything in-house, transport movements are kept to a minimum. Says Schipper, "The brute aluminum enters and leaves our building as a finished product, with minimal CO₂-emissions and no unnecessary transportation." By means of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which is prepared on the basis of a Life Cycle Analysis, Intal can indicate how a product was produced and its potential impact on the environment. Something that is increasingly being requested from regulations.

Circular remodeling

"In addition to developments in our products and processes, we are also working on new premises. In the spirit of circularity, we would like to breathe new life into the old depreciated industrial building, which had been vacant for years." The epitome of a circular future, that is what Intal's new building in Schagen should become and radiate. "The building will be transformed in a circular way into a modern and sustainable production location including headquarters. With minimal interventions, we want to make optimal use of the building so that we can realize an enlargement of our office in a circular way. In doing so, as many materials as possible will be reused." Schipper explains that the facade of the office that sits there now will be demolished and the open structure will be placed in a kind of showcase. "By doing that, we also want to visually reinforce our circular message within the new building. Moreover, the showcase reflects the open and transparent way of working that we stand for. From the office, you can walk directly into our Experience Center and see the entire production process."

Feel connected

Intal employees are encouraged to participate in the transformation of the building in Schagen. "This way, everyone is involved in the project and the awareness process in the field of sustainability and circularity is further increased. Creative entrepreneurship together, that too makes Intal a powerful company," Schipper concludes.