Following the launch of the Climate Emergency Design Guide from the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI), Rehau says that it is highlighting the ongoing initiatives in PVC-U technology that will effectively contribute to a number of the guide’s action points.
Rehau claims to have a clear sustainability agenda at its core and says that it has created a business that develops energy-efficient solutions with minimal environmental impact, demonstrated via robust lifecycle assessments and investment into a subsidiary window recycling company.
Martin Hitchin, chief executive at Rehau, commented: “The LETI’s call to action to design climate-friendly buildings is one we have taken seriously for many years. We are a polymer business and passionately believe in the value this material brings to the built environment. And, while the media attention commanded by the world’s single-use plastic crisis is certainly warranted, it is imperative that we continue to make the distinction between components used in our daily lives versus those integral to the foundations of our built environment.
“We have always taken lifecycle assessments seriously at Rehau and as a result our environmental impact is proportionately lower than that of raw materials. This is due to high energy costs demanded for production and extraction of raw materials, as well as logistical considerations relating to transport and fuel costs.
“For example, while the merits of PVC-U windows have long been acknowledged, the circular economy of such products is also crucial in the context of climate change. This is why we have implemented a closed material cycle, conserved natural resources and reduced CO2 emissions, with the percentage of profiles produced using recycled material rising from 25% to over 40% since 2014, and set to increase to 50% next year.
“In summary, we at Rehau are committed to relieving the burden on our environment, and thoroughly agree with the message sent by the LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide. It is important that developers, landowners, designers, policymakers, and the wider supply chain are fully aware of the value that PVC-U can bring when applied responsibly.”
