Material selection directly affects the CO₂e value of the components assessed. Compared with Schüco standard aluminium, our Schüco Low Carbon, Schüco Ultra Low Carbon and Schüco Ultra Low Carbon+ aluminium grades* reduce the carbon footprint by 46–87%. Further options include our RECYCLED PVC, BIO-ATTRIBUTED PVC and BALANCED PVC grades, as well as hybrid constructions—for example, timber combined with an aluminium add-on structure.
Embodied carbon is the CO₂ emissions contained within the material that are generated when the units are produced. These embodied emissions can be reduced through the use of materials that have been produced in a particularly efficient way with regard to CO₂. However, when selecting a suitable material with as little carbon input as possible, you should always check that the material is suitable for the specific building requirements and can fulfil its function.
Schüco Low Carbon, Ultra Low Carbon and Ultra Low Carbon+ aluminium grades have substantially lower embodied carbon than conventional aluminium, due in part to recycled content and renewable electricity in production. The EPDs report 3.84 kg CO₂e/kg for Schüco Low Carbon profiles, 1.99 kg CO₂e/kg for Ultra Low Carbon profiles and just 0.89 kg CO₂e/kg for Ultra Low Carbon+ profiles.**
**Reference value for Schüco standard aluminium profiles and values for Schüco Low Carbon, Ultra Low Carbon and Ultra Low Carbon+ aluminium and profiles, according to the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) dated January 2025 and December 2025, respectively.
PVC is well suited to certified, future-ready buildings and can help reduce embodied emissions. Schüco PVC windows can be efficiently recycled through Rewindo*.
Under our BALANCED PVC material standard, profiles are produced as standard with recycled material or, alternatively, a resource-optimised formulation in the inner core. This formulation contains only the components required to ensure material quality and, for example, omits colour pigments to conserve raw materials. We aim to increase the share of recycled raw materials in our standard portfolio continuously. Last year, 64% of our PVC profiles were produced with recycled material or, alternatively, a resource-optimised inner-core formulation.
* In Germany, 94.5% of all post-consumer PVC windows were recycled in 2025 (Rewindo, 2025).
With this material class, investors can meet the DGNB certification requirements for Quality Level 4, reduce the CO₂e footprint compared with conventional virgin PVC, and use a non-fossil raw material base at the same time.
During PVC production, crude oil is replaced with tall oil in a mass-balance process. Tall oil is a by-product of paper production. It is a renewable, non-fossil raw material derived from pine trees and does not compete with the food chain. Compared with virgin PVC made from crude oil, tall-oil-based PVC can reduce CO₂e emissions during the manufacturing process by up to 90%*.
Bio-attributed PVC is integrated into existing supply chains and production processes through a mass-balance approach. This means it can also be combined individually with the BALANCED PVC and RECYCLED PVC material classes.
The mass-balance process is certified under the RSB and ISCC PLUS schemes. This allows fossil and non-fossil raw materials to be mixed during production, while the quantity of purchased tall oil can be traced through the entire supply chain—from the paper manufacturer to Schüco’s production facility in Weißenfels—using a bookkeeping system. Each stage of the value chain is audited annually as part of the external certification process. BIO-ATTRIBUTED PVC is available for all Schüco PVC systems.
* Compared with the manufacturing process for virgin PVC produced by the same manufacturer.
A complete solution comprising a combination of various functional elements or materials for a building can help to reduce CO₂ and improve energy efficiency. In this way, for example, a permanently weather-resistant aluminium add-on construction can be combined with a load-bearing structure made from timber as a renewable raw material or a unitised façade with a green façade in order to decarbonise the building envelope. A solution with a green façade reduces energy consumption inside thanks to the façade's natural cooling effect, while the plants on the outside absorb CO₂. Our systems offer you extra flexibility when using different materials. One sustainable solution is the use of timber in combination with aluminium.
When selecting materials, it is always important to consider the intended functionality and use the material that enables the maximum benefits with as little carbon input as possible. Of course, all installed materials also need to meet the specific building requirements.
Schüco is transitioning all PA 66 GF 25 polyamide insulating bars across all product groups to recycled material. Compared with virgin PA 66 GF 25, the recycled polyamide reduces CO₂e by 65%. Based on manufacturer declarations and calculations in accordance with the EPD standard EN 15804+A2. This measure can further lower a building’s GWP (Global Warming Potential), with the savings compounding particularly in large-scale applications.
Product properties, certifications, catalogue numbers and article numbers will remain unchanged. The ordering process will also remain the same, as the transition will happen automatically.
Material recirculation can be designed into products from the outset. Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certified systems are assessed against criteria including circularity, material health, environmental performance and social responsibility. Schüco currently offers 95 systems certified at Silver or Bronze level. Each is designed to facilitate disassembly and material reuse.