Understanding Embodied Carbon: A Strategic Imperative for Construction

At TECHNAL, we believe the journey to net zero doesn't begin with the completed building, it starts well before the first foundation is laid. While operational emissions like heating, cooling, and lighting have long been the main focus, embodied carbon deserves equal attention.

What is Embodied Carbon and Why does it Matter?

Embodied carbon refers to greenhouse gas emissions generated across the entire building lifecycle - from raw material extraction, through manufacturing, transport, installation, and maintenance, to end-of-life disposal or recycling. The Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA) estimates this can account for up to 35% of total emissions in a typical office building over a 60 year lifespan and as much as 51% in collective residential buildings.

These figures are more than statistics, they're a wake-up call. While calculating embodied carbon is complex due to fragmented data and inconsistent standards, this shouldn't stall action. Instead, it should spur greater transparency, collaboration, and innovation across the supply chain.

Smart Material Choices: A Key to Low-Carbon Construction

Material selection is one of the most effective levers for reducing embodied carbon. Aluminium is common in windows, doors and curtain walling. It's durable, highly recyclable, and doesn't degrade when reprocessed. Crucially, recycling end-of-life aluminium requires just 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminium - reducing both carbon impact and resource depletion.

The TECHNAL Approach: Closing the Loop with Recycled Aluminium

TECHNAL embeds sustainability into every aspect of the business. Our products are made with Hydro CIRCAL 75R as standard, a premium aluminium containing at least 75% recycled post-consumer scrap from windows, door, and other facade elements that have been reclaimed. This delivers an embodied carbon footprint of just 1.9kg CO² per kg of aluminium - an impressive 85% reduction compared to global averages for primary aluminium.

For ultra-low carbon projects, Hydro CIRCAL 100R offers a prime quality alloy made with 100% recycled post-consumer scrap with a footprint as low as 0.5kg CO²e/kg of alu, placing it among the lowest in the market. These advances are backed by third-party certificates such as ASI, DNV-GL, and dynamic Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) via our TechDesign software.

Designing for Circularity and Longevity

Our products are engineered for circular economy principles. Designed for easy disassembly, our systems are made with 75% recycled and 95% recyclable materials - ensuring longevity, minimal waste and enhanced resource efficiency.

The Bigger Picture: Whole-Life Carbon and Operational Performance