DECO Australia (DECO), leading manufacturer of timber-look aluminium building products, prevented the release of more than 1 million kg of CO2e emissions by switching to lower-carbon aluminium in June 2023.
The company made the industry-leading decision to switch all its aluminium products extruded by Capral Aluminium to LocAl Green lower-carbon aluminium. The change significant reduced carbon emissions associated with DECO’s aluminium supply and immediately improved the company’s environmental performance.
Announcing the improvement at the Sustainability Building Summit and Awards, DECO general manager Richard Hamber said it is fantastic to see the impact of one small change in such a short amount of time.
“DECO is committed to reducing our environmental impact, and the early adoption of lower carbon aluminium is just one step in our Sustainability Framework to reduce our emissions,” Hamber said.
The current global average carbon emission for primary aluminium is approximately 13.9 kg CO2e/kg aluminium. DECO’s switch to LocAl Green aluminium significantly reduced the CO2e associated with its extruded aluminium supply from Capral, bringing it down well below the global average to 8 kg of CO2e/kg aluminium.
“It is fantastic to see the Australian aluminium industry joining the mission to reduce emissions by supporting global change in aluminium production through the use of renewable energies. It is now up to companies like DECO to put our money where our mouth is and support the industry by procuring the cleaner materials when available,” said Hamber.
The adoption of lower-carbon aluminium will also pass on benefits to DECO’s customers, Hamber said. “We are aware of increasing pressure on architects, builders and the wider construction industry to reduce the embodied carbon of their projects. LocAl Green will ensure DECO’s range of aluminium cladding, decking and other building products will assist in reducing emissions and help our customers achieve embodied carbon targets.”
DECO estimates it has reduced the CO2e associated with its 2023 aluminium supply by more than 1,600,000 kg. This roughly equates to driving 5,280 km in a petrol-fuelled vehicle.
Aluminium is recyclable and, according to the International Aluminium Institute, more than 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in productive use today.
The switch to lower-carbon aluminium is part of DECO’s commitment to sustainability and providing a cleaner, greener building industry.
For more information, enquire with DECO today.
