Fagerhult has taken an important step towards sustainability by announcing that its extruded aluminum profiles for several high-volume product lines will now consist of 75% recycled material. This change marks a significant move in the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact, particularly its carbon footprint.
The transition to recycled aluminum affects some of Fagerhult’s most popular product families, including Notor 65, Notor Recessed, Notor 36, Fjord, Vil, Multilume Hydro, and Sentra. These lines represent a substantial portion of the company’s production, making the switch highly impactful in terms of both material usage and potential emissions reduction.
The decision to upgrade the material for these major product families is deliberate, targeting the areas with the greatest potential for environmental benefit. In 2024 alone, the Notor family used approximately 65 kilometers of aluminum profiles, nearly all of which have now been replaced with recycled material.
The shift to recycled aluminum is projected to reduce Fagerhult’s climate footprint by approximately 225 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. This represents a 70% lower climate impact compared to the average from European primary aluminum and an 88% reduction compared to the global average for primary aluminum production.
The majority of Fagerhult’s greenhouse gas emissions fall under indirect emissions from purchased materials. By focusing on these emissions, the company is addressing the most significant contributor to its overall environmental impact. The move aligns with Fagerhult’s broader sustainability goals, which are validated by Science Based Targets, and supports its goal to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2045.
Aluminum is valued in the lighting industry for its lightweight, thermal, and durability properties, as well as its potential for multiple reuse cycles if properly recycled. The environmental impact of aluminum is heavily influenced by its source: virgin aluminum production is energy-intensive and involves mining bauxite ore, followed by electrolysis—a process that can be powered by fossil fuels or renewable energy.
Recycled aluminum, by contrast, requires significantly less energy and is less expensive to produce. This makes it a more sustainable choice, especially when sourced from post-consumer waste. Fagerhult’s decision to switch to recycled aluminum not only reduces emissions but also supports the circular economy by promoting material reuse.
Fagerhult’s initiative is part of a broader industry trend towards sustainable materials. European competitor Glamox has also begun transitioning to recycled aluminum in its luminaires as standard practice. Vode Lighting, in North America, has begun using recycled-content Hydro Circal aluminum in its luminaires. These changes reflect increasing awareness and action within the lighting industry to address environmental concerns and meet evolving regulatory and market expectations.
Fagerhult’s adoption of recycled aluminum for its major product lines is a milestone in the company’s sustainability journey. By significantly reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with science-based climate targets, Fagerhult is now one of a very small number of lighting manufacturers that has made significant strides toward a more circular, low-carbon supply chain.
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