BUILDING BLOCKS OF EUROPE 🏗️

Hi there! Welcome to European Aluminium’s newsletter, your window into the world of aluminium as we prepare for the 2024 EU institutional renewal. By shedding light on key industry developments and an in-depth exploration of our top 5 policy priorities for the upcoming policy cycle, our goal is to provide a more comprehensive perspective on how we can ensure a green transition made in Europe.

Aluminium is extensively used in building and construction, including for windows and doors, curtain walls, ventilated facades, roofing, tiles, shading devices, ceilings and internal partitions. It’s also vital in heating and ventilation equipment and structural applications like prefabricated buildings or bridges.

In the middle of an energy crisis, reducing consumption is crucial. Buildings account for 43% of the EU's final energy use, and most are energy inefficient. Aluminium can enhance building energy efficiency through superior insulation in windows, doors, and facades, reducing heating and cooling needs. To further improve efficiency, the EU should promote aluminium use in construction, modify existing buildings with aluminium components, and enforce stricter energy regulations. These steps can help reduce energy consumption and support the EU's climate goals for 2030 and 2050.

EU BUILDINGS NEED A MAKEOVER

In May this year, the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was officially published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), which showed a step forward in reaching the EU’s zero-emissions building stock by 2050 and a deeper focus on renovation.

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is set to spark a Renovation Wave of upgrades across Europe, especially targeting the least energy-efficient buildings. What’s the big change? The Directive now demands stricter energy performance standards for both new and existing buildings, urging Member States to prioritise energy renovations. With ambitious Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in place, buildings will achieve higher energy efficiency, slashing CO2 emissions and boosting indoor environmental quality. These new rules are designed to drive extensive building improvements, supporting the EU's climate goals for 2030 and 2050, and creating more sustainable, comfortable living spaces for everyone.

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is just as crucial as switching to renewable energy for heating and cooling systems. The performance of these systems heavily relies on the energy efficiency of the buildings themselves. Therefore, it's essential to create financial incentives that equally support all energy-saving measures.

Our Director Engineered Products & Business Development, Bernard Gilmont, dives more into the energy efficiency of EU buildings 👇

Did you know that aluminium building products can last up to 50 years due to their resistance to deterioration during normal use?

One of the most significant steps toward energy efficiency is replacing building elements, such as the old single and double-glazed windows, which are still common in many buildings, with modern windows that have better thermal performance. Aluminium enhances the performance of double-glazed windows by providing strong, stable frames that support the weight of multiple glass panes. It incorporates thermal breaks to reduce heat transfer and improve insulation. Picture this: If every building in the EU had these high-performance windows made, we could save an impressive 31% of the energy consumed annually.

Windows should be assessed based on their energy performance, balancing solar gains against heat losses across the various European climatic zones. It's crucial to maximise solar gains during cold weather and minimise them when it's warm. To achieve optimal energy efficiency throughout the year, it's essential to have windows that can be opened and equipped with adaptable shading solutions.

Aluminium's resistance to corrosion and weathering ensures that these shading systems remain functional and aesthetically pleasing over time. Additionally, aluminium's ability to be extruded into various shapes and sizes allows for customised shading solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into the window frames, enhancing energy efficiency.

We call on EU policymakers to revise the criteria for windows manufacturing in the EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act based on the above-described assessment.

See here for more on how to assess the thermal performance of windows 🌡️.

Want to find out how much heat the buildings in your street in Brussels waste? Check it out here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/22bjr8w2

MISSION EMISSIONS 🏭

The European aluminium industry is committed to reducing its carbon footprint in all areas of aluminium production and use, and this applies to buildings as well. To cut greenhouse gas emissions and maximise circularity, we need to rethink the construction sector's approach, considering both the start and end of a building's lifecycle. Currently, too much focus is on the initial production and operational phases, which leads to neglecting the end-of-life stage. Emphasising design-for-reuse and recycling is crucial.

Metals, like aluminium, for instance, can save up to 95% of energy and CO2 emissions when recycled. We have to give buildings a second life and kick-start the Renovation Wave in Europe with aluminium. By integrating end-of-life benefits into carbon assessments, we can build a more sustainable future.

📽️ Explore how the whole life carbon of buildings can be reduced by improving the circularity of building products ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/bdey39e5

To enhance circularity in construction, we must prioritise the easy disassembly of components and the economic and environmental recovery of materials, like aluminium, for reuse or recycling within the same sector ✅

GET INVOLVED: JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Jump into the conversation and drop your thoughts on our manifesto and policy goals. Your insights and feedback are needed as we work towards a stronger, more resilient aluminium industry in Europe. Connect with us on LinkedIn, X and our website and stay updated on the latest developments! 💡

🔗 Get in touch with us ➡ [email protected]   

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