![White blossoms surrounding white building façade at sunset.](/sites/default/files/public/styles/page_header_medium/public/2025-05/reynaers-aluminium-lifecycle-1.jpg?h=f0ab467d&itok=1VfZo4G4)  



 

 # Lifecycle thinking 

To build a sustainable future, you need to see the bigger picture. Raw materials are only one piece of the puzzle. Yet the real impact that matters, happens over the entire lifecycle of a building. From construction to maintenance, use and the end of a building’s life: all these phases consume energy. In this sense, sustainability requires a long-term perspective, with a focus on circularity, energy efficiency and renovation.



 

  ##  To consume resources means to emit carbon. Throughout the lifecycle of a building, you can separate emissions into two categories: operational and embodied carbon. 

  

 

  ## A carbon tradeoff

Embodied carbon

30% of a building’s emissions come from the materials used, the construction and end-of-life processes. Today, embodied carbon often takes focus in project conversations, while the biggest gains are to be found elsewhere… 

     ![Well-lit private home with lots of glass at night.](/sites/default/files/public/styles/image_square/public/2025-05/reynaers-aluminium-project-stavelot-1.jpg?h=1a7261ca&itok=dBzU6lvw)  

 

        ![Two Reynaers Aluminium installers dismantling old windows on site.](/sites/default/files/public/styles/cta_paragraph_image/public/2025-05/reynaers-aluminium-lifecycle-2.jpg?h=a1e1a043&itok=P7dEqeCs)  

 

 

 Operational carbon 

 

At 70%, by far the biggest impact of buildings comes from operational carbon emissions. These originate from the energy used to operate the building, for instance through lighting, heating and water usage. Energy efficient doors, windows and façades are critical to cut these carbon levels. 

  

 

      ![Woman holding up her hands towards a white mid-rise building with lots of windows.](/sites/default/files/public/styles/image_max_width/public/2025-05/reynaers-aluminium-lifecycle-3_0.jpg?itok=QQf6aMt2)  

 

 

 ##  On Sustainability, Circularity, and Energy Efficiency 

To tackle the environmental footprint of buildings, we see a two-fold mission for the building sector. On the one hand, a strong focus on **circularity** and the recycling of materials and components is needed. On the other hand, mass **renovation** will help make our existing building stock more energy efficient, lowering current operational carbon levels.

For both tasks at hand, Reynaers Aluminium can play a vital role, together with its partners. Our highly insulated aluminium solutions are not only easy to recycle, but they help raise building energy efficiency as well.



  

 

  

 

 

 

  ##  Discover more 

 - ![Angled view of orange high-rise building.](/sites/default/files/public/styles/teaser_small/public/2025-05/reynaers-aluminium-recyclable-1_1.jpg?h=f0ab467d&itok=9cMStFa1)  
    
    
    
      More than one carbon number  [ More than one carbon number ](/sustainability-every-angle/more-one-carbon-number "More than one carbon number")
- ![Man with glasses holding black aluminium profile.](/sites/default/files/public/styles/teaser_small/public/2025-05/RA_shoot_23_april_2025-276.jpg?h=ecea5362&itok=W2X2AMZS)  
    
    
    
      Sustainability is in our DNA  [ Sustainability is in our DNA ](/sustainability-every-angle/sustainability-our-dna "Sustainability is in our DNA")
- ![White blossoms surrounding white building façade at sunset.](/sites/default/files/public/styles/teaser_small/public/2025-05/reynaers-aluminium-lifecycle-1.jpg?h=f0ab467d&itok=ndeazv6Q)  
    
    
    
      Lifecycle thinking  [ Lifecycle thinking ](/sustainability-from-every-angle/lifecycle-thinking "Lifecycle thinking ")
 
 

 

 

 

 

 ## Sustainability starts with asking the right questions.

 [ Get in touch  ](/contact "Get in touch")