Schüco UK is introducing Low Carbon Aluminium as standard

Carbon Control is the tailored solution from Schüco for actively reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry. It offers the option to precisely analyse and control a building's carbon footprint over its entire lifecycle. Every step is taken into account, from the use of materials and construction process, through to subsequent use and re-use. 

For architects, Carbon Control makes monitoring decarbonisation of the building envelope possible. The modular construction principle enables building concepts to be tailored to suit the project and meet the requirements for minimising carbon emissions – be it during the planning stage, construction or operation. The entire lifecycle of a building is considered here, including the options for recycling the materials used.

Carbon Control's combination of energy efficiency and innovative planning approaches helps architects to develop construction projects that not only comply with the latest standards but also meet future sustainability requirements. The concept therefore contributes to the achievement of the global climate objectives and the construction of climate-neutral buildings which help to reduce CO₂ over the long term.

The abbreviation EPD stands for Environmental Product Declaration. An EPD is an important, standardised document for architects that lists the environmental properties of a particular construction material in the form of data. Ideally, the entire lifecycle of the material is considered – from raw material extraction and production through to use and disposal. This data is based on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the material as well as the construction.

This information is used to make an ecological assessment and certification of the building, which offers architects and developers a solid basis for making sustainable decisions. In the construction industry, EPDs are a valuable tool for clearly assessing the environmental impact of materials.At Schüco, EPDs are an essential component of Carbon Control, which help to clearly map the carbon footprint of a building.

For architects, controlling carbon emissions is key to designing sustainable, future-proof buildings. CO₂ is one of the main greenhouse gases that contributes significantly to global warming, which has far-reaching consequences for the environment, economy and society. As the construction industry produces a significant amount of global carbon emissions, it is essential for architects to take specific measures to reduce these emissions when planning and implementing building projects. 

As part of its European Green Deal, the EU has set ambitious climate objectives: greenhouse gases must be reduced by 55% by 2030, and climate neutrality achieved by 2050. From 2028, stricter CO₂ regulations will apply to newbuilds with more than 1000 m² of usable space; this will apply to all newbuilds from 2030. Schüco Carbon Control helps architects to achieve these objectives by providing a holistic view of carbon footprints – from material production and the construction phase through to use and subsequent re-use.

The integration of Carbon Control enables architects to develop buildings that not only meet the latest legal regulations, but also actively support the global climate objectives.

An energy-efficient building uses energy incredibly efficiently, which means that energy consumption is minimised in all areas of the building. This covers both operation of the building – i.e. heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting – as well as the full lifecycle of the building, including the so-called grey energy stored in the building materials. Here, it's not just about saving energy during operation, but also making sustainable decisions during planning, material selection, construction and ultimately dismantling of the building. 

Buildings are considered to be "green" when CO₂ reduction concepts are implemented at every stage of the building lifecycle and there is a focus on sustainability. Schüco supports architects with Carbon Control by designing these types of buildings, where carbon emissions are minimised over the full lifecycle – from material selection to re-use. Energy-efficient buildings therefore not only contribute to reducing energy consumption, they also help to achieve the global climate objectives.