Prioritising sustainability
Regulations, market demand and a commitment to acting in the best interests of the wider community has pushed sustainability to the top of the agenda for manufacturers. Head of marketing at Reynaers Aluminium UK, Samantha Hill, discusses the company’s commitment to sustainability, while delivering high performance products and meeting consumer demand.
Reynaers Aluminium prides itself in focusing on the future in demonstrating its commitment to sustainability in the operation of the company and in the products we create – but we need to ensure that we keep moving forwards and that sustainable building design remains a priority.
We have taken steps in the right direction in reducing the U-values of our products, cutting embodied carbon, and bringing in Cradle to Cradle products. The bottom line for Reynaers is that we want to help build a better future by playing our part in cutting carbon emissions to help address climate change.
We have demonstrated how we intend to do that in our operations by signing up to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and setting clear targets. Reynaers Group’s sustainability targets are among the most ambitious within the SBTi programme and include reducing scope one and two ‘direct’ carbon emissions by 46.2%, and scope three ‘indirect’ carbon emissions by 55% per tonne of product by 2030, starting from a baseline of 2019. This is in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement that states global warming should be limited to 1.5°C.
Only 5,231 companies across the world have currently had science-based targets approved by the SBTi, and Reynaers Group is one of them.
In addition, the United Nations recently awarded Reynaers Group the SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) Pioneer label for its ambitious sustainability work. The international certificate recognises companies that have adopted effective current and long-term sustainability initiatives.
Why sustainability matters
More than being a corporate and legislative goal, the practical implications of creating thermally efficient windows and doors is of vital importance to a sustainable future.
Poorly insulated homes need to use more energy to retain a comfortable environment and glazing plays a part in that – the Office for National Statistics reports that residential properties account for 26% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK (Climate Change Insights, Families and Households UK: August 2022). Over half of these emissions are due to the energy used to heat a home.
Lower U-values means better insulation, so less heat is lost through windows and doors, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature without turning the heating on. This cuts individual emissions but also saves money. We can’t ignore the importance of value to homeowners, and developers, and the savings add up.
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) suggests that around 18% of heat is lost through windows. Therefore, investing in solutions that provide better insulation performance will cut a homeowner’s carbon footprint but also help to save money on energy bills.
Where waste needs to be minimised and evidence of using recycled products demonstrated, Cradle to Cradle certification demonstrates a long-term commitment to cutting waste and recycling.
Reynaers manufactures a number of Cradle to Cradle certified systems, including the MasterPatio sliding door, which is an example of what can be achieved while prioritising sustainability. Made with recycled materials it can achieve Passive House standards of thermal efficiency, enabling its use in projects that aim to keep energy use to an absolute minimum.
Aluminium is well known for its durability – it is a low maintenance material that is built to last and will help to protect the value of a property.
Just as Reynaers is committed to the continual development of its products, we are committed to exploring and putting in place new systems and policies that support sustainability targets – this includes embracing innovation and continuing to create products that help to reduce emissions and cut waste, as well as reducing our operational footprint.
Download our comprehensive sustainability strategy at https://www.reynaers.co.uk/sustainability.
