How we reduce CO2 consumption
We are working to reduce the carbon footprint of Troldtekt acoustic panels, both in our own production processes and through raw material procurement.
Approximately 11 per cent of the world’s CO2 emissions come from the production and transport of building materials, as well as demolition and waste management. That’s why CO2 is also a focus area in Kingspan’s sustainability programme, Planet Passionate. Among other ambitions, we aim to achieve net-zero production emissions by 2030 (Scopes 1 & 2).
At Troldtekt, we are approaching 100 per cent renewable energy in our own production. In recent years, between 95 and 98 per cent of the energy consumed at the factory has come from carbon-neutral sources.
All the electricity used to produce our acoustic panels comes from renewable sources in the form of wind power. Our own biomass boiler supplies the heat for our production, and we have focused on replacing gas and diesel-powered trucks with electric trucks.
Wood as a carbon-neutral raw material
We are also working to reduce CO2 emissions in our raw material procurement (Scope 3).
The wood in Troldtekt – Norway spruce sourced from Danish forests – is a carbon-neutral resource because the wood absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere as it grows and stores it until it is burned or rots. Danish timber is a renewable resource, because more is planted than is logged.
Cement footprint must come down
While wood is a carbon-neutral resource, there is still great potential in reducing the footprint of cement, the other main raw material in our panels. Virtually the entire carbon footprint of Troldtekt acoustic panels comes from cement.
By developing panels based on the cement type FUTURECEM™, we have taken a big step towards reducing that footprint. Troldtekt acoustic panels based on FUTURECEM have a carbon footprint that is approximately 30 per cent lower than Troldtekt panels based on traditional cement. The share of panels sold based on FUTURECEM is growing rapidly after we completely phased out our use of traditional grey cement.
We are also supported in this reduction by our cement supplier, Aalborg Portland, which has many initiatives underway to cut CO2 emissions. In addition to new types of cement, the use of alternative fuels and carbon capture technology are examples of other initiatives.
Furthermore, in our own product development, we are investigating alternative binders that could supplement or replace the cement in future Troldtekt acoustic panels.
Huge potential for circular solutions
At Troldtekt, we are working on several initiatives to give our acoustic panels one or more extra life cycles to prevent their incineration after reaching the end of their first service life in a building. It is partly about extending the panels’ service life and partly about giving them a useful function in new cycles.