As the construction sector accelerates its transition towards a low-carbon future, circularity is becoming a key driver of change. Aluminium is uniquely positioned to support this shift: durable, endlessly recyclable and capable of retaining its quality across generations. But unlocking its full potential requires innovation, collaboration and a commitment to keeping valuable materials in circulation for as long as possible.
Aluminium makes our lives lighter and easier
Aluminium is a widely used material for exterior profiles, and it’s exceptionally well suited to the job. Aluminium has an extremely long lifespan. In fact, most of the aluminium ever used in windows, doors and façade systems is still in perfect condition today.
Aluminium can be recycled indefinitely, and the construction sector can have a major impact here because so much end-of-life aluminium is available. At Hydro, we are strongly committed to keeping that aluminium in Europe. We hope the European Critical Raw Materials Act will help make a difference, because unfortunately we still lose large amounts of both pre-consumer and post-consumer aluminium to other continents. Buyers come here to purchase it, effectively taking away the benefit of our relatively affordable energy.
As you know, aluminium production requires a significant amount of energy. At Hydro, we rely primarily on renewable energy, with more than 75% of the energy we use globally coming from renewable sources. We can go even further by increasing the reuse of recycled aluminium.
More possibilities, less impact
Recycling aluminium requires only 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminium. Moreover, Belgium - and Europe more broadly - has very limited natural resources. In that sense, aluminium is undoubtedly a metal for the future, because it can be recycled endlessly. At Hydro, decarbonisation is a key priority. We strongly believe in aluminium recycling, and post-consumer scrap is particularly important, because it is the only type of scrap we consider truly decarbonised. Of course, this creates additional challenges, as post-consumer scrap is far more difficult to recycle than pre-consumer scrap, which is generally very pure. Post-consumer scrap can contain all sorts of materials- even glass.
To address this, we have developed our own process, starting with scrap aluminium, old windows, doors and façades that we purchase from the scrap market or source through our customers via our closed-loop system. These profiles are stripped of all non-aluminium components. Each of those materials is then sent to its own dedicated recycling process. In the end, we are left with aluminium pieces that are shredded and prepared for recycling. Because we refine and purify the aluminium so thoroughly, we can guarantee that aluminium originating from 30, 40, 50 years ago - or even older - delivers the same quality as primary aluminium. Profiles produced with Hydro CIRCAL, including Hydro CIRCAL 100R, which is made from 100% post-consumer scrap, offer the same quality as primary aluminium.
Imagine what’s next
The Belgian Green Building Council demonstrates that there is a genuine commitment across the construction sector to embrace more circular building practices and to reduce the environmental impact of construction.
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Danny Decaluwaert
Sustainability Expert & Project Manager I SAPA by Hydro Building Systems
Hydro Building Systems, known under the brand name SAPA, is a leading international provider of aluminum building systems. With a strong focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability, SAPA offers a wide range of solutions – from windows and doors to façades and sun protection – in close collaboration with experienced manufacturers and installers. Active across the Benelux, Scandinavia, and the Baltic states, SAPA is part of the global Hydro Group, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, active throughout the entire value chain and a pioneer in large-scale post-consumer recycling.
At the heart of SAPA’s vision is the belief that the cities of tomorrow must grow through smart reuse of materials. Our circularity strategy is built around aluminum: endlessly recyclable without loss of quality. With Hydro CIRCAL 75R – made with at least 75% recycled post-consumer aluminum – we meet the industry’s most stringent certifications.
Through our Close the Loop program, we take back aluminum from renovation and production sites, recycle it into pure billets, and reintroduce it into new windows, doors, and façades. This ensures resources stay in Europe, reduces CO₂ emissions, and supports a truly circular construction industry.