Wispeco

Sustainability

Wispeco Aluminium’s Drive Towards Sustainability.

Wispeco Aluminium aspires to “Go Green” and aims to set an example as the leading aluminium extruder in South Africa. The benefits of aluminium with regards to Green Manufacturing as well as the measures Wispeco is taking to engage in the process of becoming more “Green” are:

Recyclability:

Aluminium is fully recyclable, keeping its original strength characteristics when recycled. Wispeco has its own remelting facilities where recycled aluminium is melted and cast into billets for extrusion. More than two thirds of the aluminium used in the manufacturing of Wispeco’s extrusions is recycled aluminium.

Energy Efficiency in the Manufacturing Process of Recycled Aluminium:

Producing aluminium billet from recycled material uses 95% less energy than producing virgin/primary billet through the refinement of alumina and reduction of alumina into aluminium.

Global GreenTag:

Wispeco products are verified as “Eco-Preferred Products” as they conform to Global GreenTag Standard. The accreditation is based on the large recycled contents of Wispeco’s aluminium extrusions.

CO2 Emissions:

As can be seen in the table below, the carbon dioxide emissions of aluminium production is four times lower than that of steel production and 1.5 times less than that of uPVC production.

Corrosion Resistance and Durability:

The corrosion resistance and durability of aluminium is excellent, making it a popular choice in green building. The resistance can be increased, along with enhancing the appearance through surface finishing such as anodising and powder coating. Wispeco offers powder coated finished products that are Qualicoat approved and anodised finished products that are Qualanod approved.

As of September 2021, the oldest known aluminum structure in South Africa was the Hout Bay Museum in Cape Town. The museum’s building, constructed in 1905, was recognised as one of the earliest examples of an aluminium building in the country. It was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, an acclaimed British architect known for his work in South Africa.

Strength-to-Weight Ratio:

Aluminium has very good mechanical properties and a high strength-to-weight ratio. Wispeco manufactures lightweight aluminium railings that are used in large transport vehicles, which result in a lighter load and lower fuel consumption than what would have been the case when using a heavier material, like steel.

Thermal Efficiency:

Wispeco has designed and developed a range of thermally efficient Crealco windows and doors, suitable for single and double glazing. As a result of its thermal efficiency properties, the product keeps warmth in during the winter and coolness in during the summer, reducing the use of air conditioning and heating systems – and thus saving energy.