VELUX in Denmark has joined a new insulating glass reuse project together with the company a:gain, VELUX Group reports. The project focuses on using fully functional insulating glass units with minor visual defects in façade window systems.
At VELUX Group production facilities, a small share of insulating glass units has minor visual imperfections, such as air bubbles. These do not affect technical performance, but make the units unsuitable for roof windows. Previously, such insulating glass units were mainly recycled into other glass products.
As part of the project, VELUX Group and the company DOVISTA are working together with the Danish manufacturer a:gain. All three companies are part of VKR Group. The partners use these insulating glass units in the Viddø façade system developed by a:gain.
The project also involves Krone Vinduer, one of DOVISTA’s Danish brands. It is responsible for the manufacture and installation of the windows. The company a:gain handles design, documentation, marketing and sales under the Viddø brand.
According to Lone Feifer, Director of Sustainable Buildings at VELUX Group, the company is analysing the potential for material reuse across the entire product value chain. The project in Denmark has made it possible to shift insulating glass units from recycling to reuse in construction.
The Viddø façade system has an environmental product declaration (EPD). According to avoided emissions studies, the system can have up to a 44% lower carbon footprint compared with similar façade windows. The figure depends on the conditions of the specific project.
The company a:gain has already supplied the Viddø system to several projects in Denmark, including residential and student buildings. The system has also been specified for a number of large-scale projects currently in preparation.
Previously, VELUX Group and DOVISTA were involved in a project in Ukraine — the construction of eco-housing for displaced families.