The Taisei Corporation Group's Next Generation Technology Research Institute has adopted the first domestically produced recycled low-carbon aluminum profiles.

Contributes to the realization of "Zero Carbon Buildings" that achieve virtually zero CO2 emissions throughout the entire building lifecycle.

        LIXIL Corporation (hereinafter referred to as LIXIL) is pleased to announce that it has been selected to supply its recycled low-carbon aluminum profiles "PremiAL R70," which use 70% recycled aluminum as raw material, for the first time in Japan as building materials for the research management building of the Taisei Corporation Group's Next Generation Technology Research Institute (located in Satte City, Saitama Prefecture, hereinafter referred to as the Next Generation Technology Research Institute, see Figure 1). The adoption of "PremiAL R70" will contribute to the realization of "Zero Carbon Buildings," which achieve virtually zero CO2 emissions throughout the entire building lifecycle, including procurement, construction, and operation stages.

LIXIL aims to achieve a 100% usage rate of recycled aluminum in its housing business by the fiscal year ending March 2031, as part of its commitment to promoting the recycling of resources, which is one of the focus areas in realizing its Environmental Vision 2050 of "Zero Carbon and Circular Living." Toward this goal,

          LIXIL has already developed the "PremiAL R70," which has a 70% recycled aluminum usage rate, and the "PremiAL R100," which has a 100% recycled aluminum usage rate.

          On the other hand, Taisei Corporation has been working towards the realization of a circular and decarbonized society by accumulating achievements in making new and renovated buildings ZEB (Zero Energy Building) compliant and advancing various initiatives aimed at constructing "Zero Carbon Buildings." As part of these efforts, the research management building of the Next Generation Technology Research Institute, currently under construction, is promoting a multifaceted approach that includes the use of low-carbon construction materials such as timber, wood materials, recycled glass, and recycled acrylic, the use of decarbonized fuels during construction, and the introduction of advanced energy-saving and energy-creating technologies. In terms of construction materials, particularly aluminum sashes, Taisei Corporation has been exploring the possibilities for recycling.

        Taisei Corporation has recently decided to use LIXIL's "PremiAL R70" for the aluminum sashes of the research management building of their Next Generation Technology Research Institute. "PremiAL R70" is used in the high-design concealed frame sash for buildings, "E-SHAPE Window Type-S," developed by LIXIL. By applying "PremiAL R70," it is possible to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 55% compared to using aluminum profiles made from 100% new metal 1. (Refer to Figure 2)

        In the future, LIXIL will work in partnership with Taisei Corporation to reuse aluminum sashes and other materials recovered from demolition and renovation sites managed by Taisei as raw materials or as part of new materials. By actively adopting "PremiAL R100," which uses 100% recycled aluminum and surpasses "PremiAL R70," in new construction sites managed by Taisei Corporation, LIXIL aims to establish an aluminum recycling loop. (Refer to Figure 3)

         LIXIL will continue to promote resource circulation and reduce environmental impact through the use of circular low-carbon materials such as PremiAL. The company is committed to achieving sustainable growth and creating a positive impact on society.

         When new metal is used as the raw material, the CO2 emissions from the procurement of the metal to the production of the material are approximately 15.1 kg-CO2. However, when 70% recycled aluminum is used as the raw material, the CO2 emissions from the procurement of the new metal to the production of the material are reduced to approximately 6.8 kg-CO2, which is a reduction of about 55%.

 

Figure 1: Image of the Taisei Corporation Group's Next Generation Technology Research Institute.