Circular & Sustainable Value Chain
Our goal together with you, our partners in the value chain, is to keep products, materials, and resources in use for as long as possible, and to ensure they are responsibly sourced from the start. To achieve our goals, we support a circular and sustainable value chain, which is a closed-loop system focused on ethical sourcing, reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling.
Some key principles to guide us
Designing out waste
Creating modular, adaptable products
Sourcing materials responsibly
Using low-carbon building elements
How can Reynaers Aluminium help you?
A circular philosophy is one thing, but you need trusted partners with hands-on solutions to make the dream a reality. At every stage of the lifecycle of a building, it is important to consider the relevant circular solutions that can help reduce the impact of your project. Reynaers Aluminium is that futureproof partner for you.
Low-carbon building elements
Responsible sourcing
More than a decade ago, the aluminium sector acknowledged that, looking at the material’s journey from bauxite mines to the end user, changes were needed for the planet and for the people. To foster this shift and to foster collaboration towards this goal, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative framework was created. It is important for you, it is important for us. This is why Reynaers Aluminium is a member since 2024.
Closed-loop systems
Join our ReTurn program
In a true circular economy, we need closed-loop initiatives to make sure material scrap is collected, processed and brought back into the supply chain for re-use or recycling. That is why we have launched a new circular framework, called ReTurn, in a select number of markets.
One part of the framework is a close-the-loop sourcing initiative where we collect aluminium scrap from our fabricators’ workshop and the building site and use it to create new low-carbon aluminium profiles. We also have a return system in place for packaging materials, focusing on maximum reuse and minimal waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a circular and sustainable value chain?
A circular and sustainable value chain is a closed-loop system focused on ethical sourcing, reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling.
We focus on low-carbon building elements, responsible sourcing practices and material take-back schemes to involve our partners across the value chain and make a positive impact on the carbon impact of our processes and buildings alike.
By integrating sustainability into the design stage, we ensure lasting, future-ready solutions. We call this 'value engineering'. To empower our partners even more, we offer reliable tools and credible insights as an expert partner. Traceability of information, support in achieving green building certifications, and EU Green Deal compliance are key concerns.
What is low-carbon aluminium?
While "low-carbon" primary aluminium is not formally defined, it encompasses all virgin material with a carbon footprint equal to or lower than 4.38 kgCO2/kg aluminium (billet + extrusion). In practice, low-carbon aluminium is a mix of recycled aluminium and low-carbon primary aluminium produced with clean energy.
For a full analysis of the topic, you can visit the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) website for more details.
What are low-carbon thermal breaks?
A standard thermal break is made of polyamide - a high-performance polymer - reinforced with glass fiber. That's roughly 75% polyamide and 20% glass fiber. Low-carbon thermal breaks use the same materials, but with one key difference: the polyamide is 100% recycled. So, low-carbon thermal break = 75% polyamide (100% recycled) + 25% glass fibre.
This is what is expected by the EU Green Deal to decarbonise the building sector.
What is ReTurn by Reynaers Aluminium?
ReTurn is a Reynaers Aluminium close-the-loop framework, launched in 2025. Our goal, together with our partners, is to create a local recycling system, in full transparency and traceability, extending the lifetime of valuable resources.
The system is currently active in a handful of countries and focuses on return schemes for cardboard packaging and aluminium scrap material, originating from fabricator workshops and building sites.
