Doors & windows

The VELUX Group has kickstarted cooperation with ArcelorMittal, the world's leading steel and mining company, as part of its efforts to halve value chain emissions by 2030. The companies will now work together to lower the carbon footprint of the steels used in VELUX roof windows, aiming to reduce embedded CO2 by up to 70% (depending on the type of steel product used) compared with conventionally produced steel.

Looking forward to the positive impact

The quality of steel is particularly crucial for ensuring optimal performance of the hinges used to operate VELUX roof windows and the brackets used to install them. The VELUX Group is working towards halving scope 3 emissions by 2030 and working with suppliers of materials for its products is essential to achieve this.

“This spring we are ordering the first delivery of low-carbon emissions steel from ArcelorMittal,” says Jesús Villalba, Senior Director, Direct Procurement at VELUX Group. “We are very excited about the journey that ArcelorMittal has started to move from emissions-intensive energy for steel production towards lower carbon steelmaking. Cooperations like these will enable decarbonisation of our products and we look forward to seeing the positive impact on our product and company carbon emissions.”

XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel

ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewably produced flat steel is produced using a minimum of 75% scrap steel and 100% renewable electricity. It will now be tested in larger volumes in a VELUX factory in Gniezno, Poland to see how it performs in hinges and brackets. In parallel, VELUX and ArcelorMittal will work together to lower the carbon footprint of steel used in some other components for roof windows.  

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of many months’ work with our colleagues at VELUX Group, as well as in our testing laboratories and production lines in Europe”, said Laurent Plasman, CMO Industry, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. “Thanks to the interest and support of our customers, we are able to manufacture XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel for a growing number of applications, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible when we launched XCarb® two years ago. I would like to thank VELUX Group for its commitment to this project so far; while we are at the start of this journey, I look forward to seeing the results of this long-term cooperation to reduce the environmental impact of steel used in VELUX roof windows."

The collaboration between the two companies was announced at BAU – the world's leading trade fair for architecture, materials, and systems, in Munich on 19 April 2023.

About the VELUX Group

For more than 80 years, the VELUX Group has created better living environments for people around the world making the most of daylight and fresh air through the roof. Their product programme includes roof windows and modular skylights, decorative blinds, sun screening products, and roller shutters, as well as installation and smart home solutions. These products help to ensure a healthy and sustainable indoor climate for work and learning and for play and pleasure. The Group works globally – with sales and manufacturing operations in more than 38 countries and around 11 000 employees worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by non-profit, charitable foundations (THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS) and family. In 2022, the VELUX Group had a total revenue of EUR 2.99 billion, VKR Holding had a total revenue of EUR 4.29 billion, and THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS donated EUR 181 million in charitable grants.

Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia

Images:
© VELUX Group and ArcelorMittal

Related link(s)

Forster Profilsysteme is a world-leading supplier of steel profiles for doors, windows, and facades. The company utilises Magnelis® from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products to create its all-steel solutions which are free of plastics. The self-healing properties of Magnelis® offer exceptional corrosion protection during transport and storage of the profiles. Welding operations are also simplified with Magnelis®, enabling Forster to create high-quality and durable profiles. To enhance the sustainability of its operations, Forster is currently building a state-of-the-art headquarters which will bring together production, administration, and sales. And wherever possible, they’re utilising ArcelorMittal steels.

Timeless, sustainable, robust

“We see steel as a timeless, sustainable, robust, and durable product which gives us the opportunity to offer a globally unique profile which is entirely made from steel,” says Willi Lüchinger, CEO of the Forster Group. “Unlike other profile makers, Forster does not use a plastic web to connect the two half-shells of a profile. Instead, we use a specially designed stainless-steel web. This improves the recyclability of the product, and its stability, without restricting the thermal properties of the system.”

Magnelis® offers easy weldability and protection

Forster has offered Magnelis® solutions since they became aware of the unique steel coating in 2015. “In our business, the zinc-aluminium-magnesium Magnelis® coating is primarily there to provide corrosion protection in transport and storage,” says Willi Lüchinger, CEO of the Forster Group. “But the biggest benefit of Magnelis® to us is the quality of the welding process. It is almost as easy to weld as black steel.”

The company sees the innovative strength of ArcelorMittal and the relationship as central advantages says Willi Lüchinger: “ArcelorMittal products such as Magnelis®, and initiatives such as XCarb®, show that the partnership is based on a common mindset. They are also an important building block in realising our own ambitions for even more mindful and sustainable use of our world’s resources.”

Sustainability is a key driver in Forster’s business as Willi Lüchinger explains: “Dealing with resources in a mindful way is part of our DNA. We are currently undergoing a company-wide process to evaluate where and how we can reduce our carbon footprint further, and ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® initiative is part of that discussion. Obtaining XCarb® green steel certificates for the steel we buy from ArcelorMittal could be a game changer, and a major step towards a greener future.”

Solutions deployed in new builds and renovations

Forster products have been deployed in both new builds and renovation projects, and their profiles are sold around the world though Europe remains the company’s leading market. Most of Forster’s main system profiles are made from flat steels supplied by ArcelorMittal.

The main customers for Forster’s products are metal fabricators who create profiles based on the designs of architects and building owners. The profiles are turned into window, door, or facade solutions by specialist fabricators. “We train the fabricators in the optimal processing techniques for our systems and provide technical support,” notes Willi Lüchinger.

With sustainability and the future firmly in mind, Forster has begun construction of a new headquarters in Romanshorn, Switzerland. “It will be known as the Forster Campus and includes a new showroom, training and customer centre, offices, and production. The facade of the office building, all doors and windows, and all glazed partition walls are made from our products – hence they contain a lot of flat steel from ArcelorMittal.”

About Forster Profilsysteme

Forster is an internationally renowned supplier of high-quality steel doors, windows, and facades. Founded in 1874, Forster has transformed from being a steel profile manufacturer to a world-leading system supplier. In 2024, the company will move its headquarters to a new purpose-built facility in Romanshorn, Switzerland.

More info: www.forster-profile.ch

Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia

Images:
© Forster
© Forster, Damian Poffet
© Forster, Roman Keller
© Forster, We are Contents / Stéphane Aboudaram

Related link(s)

La Samaritaine