SBTi: Reynaers Aluminium joins the fight against climate change
A select few leading companies are setting ambitious climate goals and are on their way to become futureproof enterprises. Reynaers Aluminium, as part of Reynaers Group, has joined them in their journey and is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Discover how the initiative helps us reduce our ecological impact in this article.
What is SBTi?
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is an environmental partnership between WWF and the United Nations that sets emission reduction targets for businesses all over the world. Their mission is “to drive ambitious corporate climate action” as they support companies with clear-cut, science-based goals that help them operate successfully in an eco-friendlier way.
The goals SBTi sets out are aligned with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement , which states that global warming should be limited to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. In fact, SBTi takes matters one step further and sets its global warming limit at 1.5°C. Only when large companies do their fair share of the work will we be able to prevent the worst consequences of climate change. That is why Reynaers Group is one of the daring enterprises that have committed to this ambitious environmental programme.
SBTi at Reynaers Group
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges for present and future generations. Extreme weather conditions are already having major consequences for communities all over the world. At Reynaers Group, we are determined to address this critical issue. To demonstrate our ambitious CO2 reduction commitments, Reynaers Group has joined the Science Based Target initiative. In 2020, we calculated our carbon footprint of the previous year for the first time. In 2022, we have established our emission reduction targets with 2019 as baseline. Our goals were presented to and approved by the official SBTi Committee in 2023.
- An absolute reduction target to reduce our owned direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by -46.2%, compared to our base year 2019.
- A relative reduction target to reduce our indirect emissions, originating from our value chain (Scope 3), by -55%, compared to our base year 2019.
How we tackle our Scope 1 & 2 emissions
Although our Scope 1 & 2 emissions only represent 3.4% of our total carbon footprint (baseline 2019), we still find it important to set out an ambitious absolute reduction target, regardless of future growth. We take our full responsibility.
To reduce our emissions, we are actively pursuing various key actions:
- Greener electricity: we reduce our overall consumption, invest in solar panels and source green electricity from the grid.
- Switching from gas to electricity: most of our coating production lines still run on natural gas. To replace this non-sustainable energy source, we are currently investigating all technically mature options available on the market.
- Electric car fleet: switching our company’s fuel-driven car fleet to electricity is a straightforward and effective way to reduce our carbon footprint.
For Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions we recorded a decrease of 10.4% (absolute reduction) in 2025. For the past six years, the investments we have made in our infrastructure have helped drive our decarbonisation plan.
How we tackle our Scope 3 emissions
At 96.6%, Scope 3 emissions account for the biggest share of our company's carbon footprint. While we take direct responsibility for our own activities (Scope 1 & 2), we engage our stakeholders to help reduce the indirect impact of our supply chain (Scope 3). As a main priority, we collaborate with strategical suppliers, third-party logistics partners and customers to find efficient ways to reduce the ecological impact of our purchased materials.
- Decarbonisation of the aluminium mix: we combine our fair share of recycled aluminium with new aluminium produced with clean energy, like hydropower in the smelting process, to create low-carbon aluminium. In 2025, the average carbon footprint of our aluminium profiles was 3.31 kg CO2 eq./kg aluminium, which is a -35% drop compared to our 2019 baseline.
- Decarbonisation of thermal breaks: in 2025, more than 70% of our product portfolio contained low-carbon thermal breaks.
- Decarbonisation of the steel mix: our Swiss steel system house Forster has started gradually switching its sourcing to low carbon emission steel (LCES), which reduces the carbon footprint of their solutions.
Thanks to these effort, in 2025, Reynaers Group recorded a relative decline of 30.5% in Scope 3 emissions of purchased goods. We expect a further decline in the years to come.
Clear targets lead to a more efficient sustainability journey. That is why we are committed to the Science Based Targets initiative.
Considering Sustainability. From every angle.
Tackling our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions is a bold commitment that needs to be supported by concrete action. However, we cannot limit our scope to just carbon figures: if we want to build a better future, we need to consider the bigger picture. That is why, at Reynaers Aluminium, we look at sustainability from every angle.
Learn more about our sustainable efforts by clicking the link below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Reynaers Group's carbon emission goals?
In 2022, Reynaers Group established their emission reduction targets with 2019 as baseline.
- An absolute reduction target to reduce our owned direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by -46.2%, compared to our base year 2019. Greener electricity contracts, switching from gas to electricity in our production processes, and an elaborate electric car fleet will help us reach this goal.
- A relative reduction target to reduce our indirect emissions, originating from our value chain (Scope 3), by -55%, compared to our base year 2019. By decarbonizing purchased materials such as aluminium, thermal breaks and steel, we aim to reach this target by 2030.
In 2025, we recorded an absolute reduction of 10.4% for our Scope 1 and 2 emissions. For Scope 3 emissions, we even recorded a relative decline of 30.5%. Further steps are being taken or investigated to reach our 2030 goals.
What does SBTi stand for?
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is an environmental partnership between WWF and the United Nations that sets emission reduction targets for businesses all over the world. Their mission is “to drive ambitious corporate climate action” as they support companies with clear-cut, science-based goals that help them operate successfully in an eco-friendlier way.
In 2022, Reynaers Group established emission reduction targets with 2019 as baseline. Our goals were presented to and approved by the official SBTi Committee in 2023.
What is low-carbon aluminium?
While "low-carbon" primary aluminium is not formally defined, it encompasses all virgin material with a carbon footprint equal to or lower than 4.38 kgCO2/kg aluminium (billet + extrusion). In practice, low-carbon aluminium is a mix of recycled aluminium and low-carbon primary aluminium produced with clean energy.
For a full analysis of the topic, you can visit the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) website for more details.
What are low-carbon thermal breaks?
A standard thermal break is made of polyamide - a high-performance polymer - reinforced with glass fiber. That's roughly 75% polyamide and 20% glass fiber. Low-carbon thermal breaks use the same materials, but with one key difference: the polyamide is 100% recycled. So, low-carbon thermal break = 75% polyamide (100% recycled) + 25% glass fibre.
This is what is expected by the EU Green Deal to decarbonise the building sector.
