CSR report: Troldtekt offcuts used in new cement

21.05.2019

Throughout 2018, Troldtekt A/S and Aalborg Portland A/S worked together to find ways of recycling offcuts from Troldtekt panels in cement production. The trial scheme has now become permanent. Read more in our latest CSR report.

In 2018, dust from the processing of acoustic panels at Troldtekt A/S acquired new value through its use in cement production at Aalborg Portland. The project to recycle offcuts from the finished Troldtekt panels was initially a trial scheme – but it proved so successful that it is now permanent.

“The material from Troldtekt is received with open arms by us, because it is a product made from natural materials and fully in line with our desire to promote circular cooperation, and thus substitute fossil fuels and conserve natural raw materials,” says Henriette Charlotte Nikolajsen, Manager Environment, Energy and QMS at Aalborg Portland.

The recycling story is told in the new CSR report for 2018, which is published as part of Troldtekt’s membership of the voluntary global initiative for corporate social responsibility, the UN Global Compact.

>> Read the report here

A strategically important milestone

Sixty-two percent of the material which Aalborg Portland receives from Troldtekt is used to replace raw materials, while 38 per cent of the material is used to replace fossil fuels. This is the first time that Aalborg Portland has been able to recycle offcuts from finished products as a raw material in new cement.

“The focal point of our business strategy is the sustainable Cradle to Cradle design concept, the basic idea being that products and waste must be recycled to create new value. Troldtekt panels can do this in several ways, among other things as compost. However, it is something of a milestone that we have successfully managed to recycle waste products in cement production,” says Troldtekt CEO Peer Leth.

He explains that the dust is transported to Aalborg Portland cement in the cement lorries that would otherwise be returning empty after delivering cement to the production in Troldhede (Denmark).

More FSC®-certified wood

Our CSR report mentions several CSR initiatives which were implemented in 2018. Among other things, we have increased the proportion of locally sourced FSC-certified (FSC®C115450) Norway spruce in our products.

“A significant proportion of our panels are FSC-certified, but we want to produce even more of them as more Danish forest owners hopefully start certifying their forests. Our strategy is to produce sustainably, and the market is ready to buy more certified products,” says Peer Leth.

The FSC label guarantees, among other things, that no more trees are felled than the forest can reproduce – and that local workers are trained, equipped with safety equipment and paid a decent wage.

>> Read more about our FSC certification 

Deaf colleague and international responsibility

Other highlights from the 2018 CSR report include:

  • Roll-out of CSR approach to the two new domestic markets, Sweden and Germany. In both countries, Troldtekt supports NGOs that promote the circular economy.
  • Employment of a deaf colleague in production on equal terms with his colleagues.
  • Building of a new production line at a cost of DKK 180 million. Troldtekt now has a high-tech and highly efficient production, which provides a solid foundation for improving the company’s energy and environmental performance in the coming years.   

 >> Read our CSR report in full here