Polymer window manufacturer REHAU says it has successfully integrated its Window.ID service package with a number of its leading partners, in an effort to help demonstrate the material history of each window, a powerful ingredient to help enable circularity in the sector.
Shifts towards eco-friendly attitudes with consumers appear to be in evidence in recent surveys, such as NatWest’s January 2024 Greener Homes Attitude Tracker which suggests that 64% of homeowners plan to make green home improvements in the next decade despite recent budget crunches.
REHAU’s Window.ID is designed to address this directly, says the firm, acting as a digital identification tag for its windows, doors and accessories. Russell Hand, Head of Technical and Product Management at REHAU Windows, is overseeing the integration of the technology across REHAU’s partners, which will allow the entire windows supply chain to retrieve information about the window including its constituent parts and recyclability.
“The pandemic has supercharged attitudes to sustainability in all areas of modern life, of which the home is a key part,” Russell explains. “Householders increasingly want to know how eco-friendly their property is, and windows, as an inextricable and prominent aspect of most structures, are a key part of this.
“It is with this need for these green priorities in mind that Window.ID was conceived, which through use of an RFID tag fitted to the window will assist the traceability of polymer and other components used in our frames. This creates greater transparency of information for the fabricator and installer, which can then be passed onto eco-conscious homeowners.”
Among the first of REHAU’s partners set up is GRM Windows. Richard Gambling, Director at GRM Windows, said: “Assigning a unique ID to each window allows us to very clearly signpost the sustainability benefits to the consumer, alongside monitor the status of installations via a digital dashboard. This allows us to continually deliver excellent customer service, while also having total control over what information is made visible.”
The sustainability of polymer continues as a talking point for the windows industry, with constant innovation and investment in initiatives including REHAU’s Runcorn-based PVCR recycling facility further enhancing the recyclability of frames using the material. With PVC windows now enjoying an average lifespan of over 30 years and more energy-efficient than wood and aluminium due to their thermoplastic nature, the material is growing in prominence as an eco-friendly option.
Combined with the fact PVC can be recycled multiple times without loss of performance, Russell believes the addition of Window.ID tracking will further underline polymer’s status as a highly sustainable window material choice. He concluded: “Being able to return resources into the wider circular economy is a key objective for material suppliers, and having quick access to material data will greatly assist in this.
“Crucially, alongside returning polymer to the recycling loop in the future, Window.ID will also be able to show consumers compatible window components and accessories. Consequently, installers and fabricators can better present homeowners with upselling opportunities, while minimising time-consuming inspection or measurement appointments for replacement work due to the easily available data it offers.”
For more information on Window.ID, click here.
