A new perspective on building construction
The traditional production system is based on a short-term strategy. Resources are produced and wasted in a linear way, as after use, building elements end up in the rubbish without being able to be reused. Cradle to Cradle contradicts the traditional attitude of waste management and calls for thinking in cycles. The certification assesses the sustainability of products and production processes "from cradle to cradle".
Multifaceted assessment scheme
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, based in San Francisco, has created an assessment scheme by which products can be certified. To obtain certification, five quality categories are considered: These include healthy and safe handling of materials, the products must not contain any harmful substances. The material cycle, the use of renewable energy, the responsible use of water and social responsibility also flow into the evaluation. The certification is primarily aimed at the future of the materials used. DGNB or BREEAM, for example, explicitly require the use of a certain proportion of already recycled material. With Cradle to Cradle Certified, in contrast, the future recyclability of the materials used is decisive - and aluminium is rated particularly well here with its almost unlimited recyclability. With a recycling rate of up to 95%, most of the aluminium ever produced worldwide is still in use.
GCW 050/060 Bronze certified
The first Cradle to Cradle certified product is our GUTMANN GCW 050/060 façade system: a transom system with relatively few components, which is characterised by a simple structure and thus allows a great freedom of ideas for the design. GUTMANN GCW 050/060 is suitable for vertical façades. All building types can be easily designed and clad. The façade system has the highest aluminium content in our product range and enables uncomplicated recycling of the components.