In 2018, Hydro launched its new Circal 75R aluminium alloy. The alloy consists of minimum 75 percent post-consumer scrap, like for example facades and fenestrations that have been removed from buildings and fully recycled, closing the loop toward a more circular economy.

It is the alloy with one of the highest amounts of recycled post-consumer content on the market. The higher the recycled content of post-consumer scrap, the lower the carbon footprint. This puts Hydro’s customers in a unique position.

“Our building and construction customers are increasingly looking for more sustainable solutions and we want to be in front when it comes to meeting one of the most demanding challenges of our time,” says Egil Hogna, Head of Hydro's Extruded Solutions business.

Now, the first contracts have been signed by Hydro’s building systems brands Technal and Wicona, totaling hundreds of tonnes of aluminium.

In Kuwait, Hydro delivers facades to a large government project, while medium-size projects have been signed in Germany, France, Sweden, UK, The Netherlands, and Norway.

Common for the customers is that they have very high sustainability demands, triggered by regulations and green building rating programs. Hydro fills that gap in the market with Circal 75R.

One of the aluminium industry’s most sustainable companies

With the 2017 integration of Extruded Solutions, Hydro has become one of the global key players in the building industry. Hydro’s Building Systems business unit, with its brands Wicona, Technal, and Sapa, offers one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry. Circal 75R is only one of several initiatives that makes this possible, along with optimization efforts and moving to renewable energy sources.

Hydro is the first aluminium producer supplying prime quality end-of-life recycled aluminium with a certified content of more than 75 percent recycled post-consumer scrap. The production process is fully traceable, and the product is certified by an independent third party (DNV-GL).

Ambitious European emissions targets

In the European Commission’s sustainability targets, all new buildings are to operate at net zero carbon emissions by 2030, and by 2050 all buildings must operate at net zero carbon. With the looming climate crisis and stricter regulations, the industry needs to adapt. With Circal 75R, Hydro enables builders and architects to meet the highest sustainability targets.