Aluminium and sustainability: a perfect match
Responsible business practices with an eye on the future
Sustainability at Comhan means meeting our needs without causing harm to people, the environment, or the economy, today and in the future. That is why we engage in corporate social responsibility, efficiently use energy and raw materials, and recycle materials wherever possible.
We aim to contribute to a better world by minimising our ecological footprint. We pursue sustainable business practices not only to make the planet greener but also because it is smarter: less energy and less waste mean more efficient operations and lower costs.
The circular power of aluminium
Aluminium plays a vital role in a sustainable future. It is the most abundant metal on earth, extracted from bauxite ore. Although production is energy-intensive, the CO₂ footprint of primary aluminium produced in Europe has decreased by over 50% since 1990. This is largely due to the increasing use of low-carbon energy in smelters. For instance, in 2023, 78% of the electricity used in European primary aluminium production came from renewable energy sources.
Furthermore, aluminium is exceptionally durable in use. It lasts for decades - often 60 years or more in the construction sector - and is 100% recyclable after use without any loss of quality. The material is low-maintenance, thus requiring fewer resources over its lifespan.
Sustainability in our operations
Sustainability is embedded not only in our material but also in the way we operate. In recent years, we have taken significant steps. Older processing machines have been replaced by modern, energy-efficient versions, and our halls and offices are fully illuminated with LED lighting.
With approximately 1,200 solar panels, we cover around 70% of our own electricity needs, and we rely almost exclusively on heat pumps for heating and cooling.
Additionally, we reduce waste by reusing packaging materials such as wooden pallets and crates, and we ensure sustainable sourcing, for example by using FSC-certified wood or film with a high recycling content.
Sustainable for customers
We extend the same focus on sustainability to our customers. We help them make informed choices by cleverly designing profiles and systems to reduce the material needed without compromising strength or functionality. Moreover, we can offer low-carbon aluminium, produced using recycled material and more sustainable processes, resulting in significantly lower CO₂ emissions. This allows us to make the chain greener, step by step, together.
Comhan participant in the AluEco Foundation
The AluEco Foundation promotes sustainability. In the facade construction sector, they are responsible for managing a market-compliant recycling chain, among other things. Within this recycling chain, the affiliated companies achieve the reuse of aluminium. This guarantees the high-quality and sustainable use of this metal. AluEco also encourages the use of modern facade technology for sustainable buildings. View Comhan's AluEco certificate in the 'Downloads' section.
The AluEco Foundation is governed by the VMRG the Dutch Association of Window, Door and Facade manufacturers, VAS (Alcoa, Reynaers, Hueck, and SAPA), Schüco, and Aluprof.
Sustainability never stops
Our ambition is to continue making our business operations more sustainable, step by step. We prefer suppliers who thoroughly document their sustainability performance (such as independent LCAs or EPDs). We are also looking further ahead with plans to expand the number of solar panels, electrify our truck fleet when the range and charging infrastructure are adequate, and pursue new product developments.
