RE-ALU
More than just a slogan, it’s a manifesto for more sustainable roller shutters, awnings, gates and pergolas
- Recycled materials
- Responsible purchasing
- Reduced impact
01
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A conviction,
not a fad
Using recycled aluminium is not a fad or a marketing ploy. It is a conviction, a commitment and a matter of course for StellaGroup and its teams.
RE-ALU
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A reality of everyday life
Whenever possible and economically viable, we prioritise the use of recycled materials to reduce our impact on the natural environment.
Just 5% of energy
The production of recycled aluminium requires only 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminium.
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Why this choice?
With StellaGroup consuming nearly 17,000 tonnes of aluminium, using recycled material quickly became the obvious choice for reducing its carbon footprint.
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02
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A responsible procurement policy
Our purchasers are tasked with prioritising the procurement of recycled aluminium. We maintain long-term relationships with our suppliers, based on commitments to supply volumes at controlled prices. Particular attention is paid to their efforts to optimise their production technologies in line with sustainable development objectives.
The retailers and fitters of our products aim to project a local image, firmly rooted in their local area, and are committed to working in a way that respects their immediate environment.
Within their catchment area, they take great care to maintain a reputation as responsible operators, as they know this helps boost their sales.
The recycled aluminium used by their suppliers is an argument that is increasingly being used to set them apart and boost their appeal.
Users of our roller shutters are primarily looking for practical benefits, such as thermal insulation, security and comfort. Choosing products manufactured with a reduced carbon footprint makes sense to them.
Like our customers, the staff at StellaGroup companies share a commitment to preserving our natural resources and reusing whatever can be reused rather than wasting it.
03
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The challenge of sourcing aluminium
Securing the supply of aluminium has become a strategic priority for StellaGroup. Europe is heavily dependent on imported aluminium raw materials. Global competition is intensified by Russia and China’s strategy of exporting primary aluminium at low prices.
Securing our supply means prioritising the reuse of aluminium waste. Using recycled aluminium ensures the continuity of our industrial and commercial operations.
04
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Primary aluminium vs recycled aluminium
Primary aluminium
13.5 GWh
TO PRODUCE ONE TONNE
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The extraction of bauxite, a sedimentary rock with a high alumina content, has numerous environmental impacts at mining sites (deforestation, destruction of flora and fauna, and soil erosion caused by excavation). The process of producing primary aluminium by electrolysis is extremely energy-intensive.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
EROSION
ENERGY-INTENSIVE
Recycled aluminium
0.675 GWh
TO PRODUCE ONE TONNE
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Scrap and identified aluminium waste are sorted and dismantled to separate them from other components. The waste is then crushed and purified to remove any non-aluminium materials. This process consumes only 5 per cent of the energy used in the production of primary aluminium. Recycled aluminium retains its strength properties indefinitely.
SORTING
PRESERVATION
RECYCLING
05
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A second life for aluminium cans
1 metric tonne of recycled cans prevents the extraction of 4 metric tonnes of bauxite and saves up to 95% of the energy required to produce primary aluminium. Recycling also helps to reduce waste in the natural environment, as a can can take up to 500 years to decompose. By purchasing a roller shutter from one of the StellaGroup companies, you are reusing aluminium – perhaps even that from the cans you yourself have placed in a yellow recycling bin. Recycling your cans is a simple action with a significant impact on the environment and society, transforming an everyday gesture into a sustainable and circular contribution.
4T
the saving in bauxite
not extracted for
1 tonne of cans
95%
energy saved
68%
the proportion of recycled aluminium used by StellaGroup
99%
the proportion of recycled aluminium used by StellaGroup in the manufacture of roller shutter slats and boxes
06
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