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On the way to becoming a climate-neutral company

For us, sustainability means more than just environmental protection: we use resources responsibly, focus on long-term employee retention and balanced growth.

Götz Schmiedeknecht, Co-CEO
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More than just sustainability - we act with foresight

Sustainability has always been a top priority at Salamander: Words become deeds in a tradition that goes back over 100 years. From the very beginning, our resource-conserving production and the reuse of sustainable materials have always been of fundamental importance.

Our current Salamander strategy "S500" also places particular emphasis on sustainability and the associated goals of reducing energy consumption and cutting emissions. To achieve this, we are building on new and modern technologies.

The most sustainable material for windows is PVC

Compared to the window materials wood and aluminum, PVC is the most sustainable material for windows.

From production to recycling, a PVC window profile runs through a closed cycle. PVC can also be processed with low energy consumption and is therefore ideal for recycling: PVC windows can therefore be completely recycled without any harmful substances and formed into new profiles.

Longevity
PVC windows require hardly any care and maintenance - with a long service life thanks to optimized formulation and resistant surfaces

Stability
PVC remains permanently stable and functional thanks to the chemical and physical corner joints of the profiles

Recyclability
PVC enables a closed material cycle, as the material is almost completely recyclable

Energy-saving processing
PVC can be formed and processed at low temperatures - this saves primary energy during mixing and extrusion

Insulation value
The shaping and thermal conductivity of PVC lead to the best insulation values of up to 0.8 Uf

Wood

Longevity
- Wood must be painted annually

Stability
- Glued joints tend to fatigue

Recyclability
- Impregnated wood cannot be recycled

Insulation value
+ 1.2 - 1.5 Uf

Aluminum

Energy-saving processing
- Processing temperatures between 600 - 660°C

Stability
- Bonding joints tend to fatigue

Recyclability
- Surface treatment leads to the formation of pollutants in the recycling process

Insulation value
- 6.1 Uf*

*For aluminum windows, the insulation value is ultimately created by the PVC in the core

PVC

Energy-saving processing
+ Processing temperatures approx. 200°C

Stability
+ Permanently stable and functional

Recyclability
+ PVC can be fully recycled up to seven times
+ up to 50% of the material we use already consists of recycled PVC
+ only recycled PVC is used in the Greta® window

Insulation value
+ 0.8 Uf*

Four ways to Sustainability at Salamander

Compared to the window materials wood and aluminum, PVC is the most sustainable material for windows.

From production to recycling, a PVC window profile runs through a closed cycle. PVC can also be processed with low energy consumption and is therefore ideal for recycling: PVC windows can therefore be completely recycled without any harmful substances and formed into new profiles.

Environmental protection

  • • 8% share of electricity from our own hydroelectric power plants

  • • Company-owned sewage treatment plant

  • • Investment in other ecological technologies, such as photovoltaic systems

Saving resources

  • • Development of a modular system to reduce complexity & material savings

  • • Reusability of materials

  • • Cross-system use of accessories and tools

  • • Development & production of climate-neutral products

Responsibility

  • • Investment in education - offering a wide range of apprenticeships

  • • Support programs for employees such as health days and further training opportunities

  • • Promoting young talent at schools and sports clubs

  • • Diversity and inclusion - advocacy for cultural diversity (currently 34 different nations)

Growth

  • • Family-run and family-friendly company

  • • Resilient alignment of the group of companies against economic fluctuations

  • • Europe-wide involvement in various plastics industry associations

  • • Sustainable strengthening of partners through needs-oriented innovations

Recyclate vs. Virgin material: Crucial for energy and climate protection

  • • PVC profiles can be recycled up to seven times

  • • Sensible return of old windows to a closed recycling system

  • • Resource efficiency: reduction in the consumption of raw materials

  • • Saving of primary energy for the production of PVC

  • • Reduction of CO2 emissions

  • • Combines environmental protection with high quality & design standards

Award - CO2 savings thanks to PVC recycling

Our main site in Türkheim was awarded by Dekura for the purchase of 1481 tons of PVC regranulate in 2021. This contributes to a saving of 2745 tons of CO2.

Going one step further with commitment

Salamander is a founding member of Rewindo, the window recycling initiative, and an active member of EPPA and VinylPlus, the European PVC industry's voluntary commitment to sustainable development

Since 2002, Salamander has been a partner in the Rewindo recycling initiative, which is made up of members of leading German plastic profile manufacturers.

EPPA, the "European PVC Window Profile and Related Building Products Association" is the political lobby of European PVC window profile manufacturers, of which Salamander is an active member.

VinylPlus® is the European PVC industry's voluntary commitment to sustainable development, of which Salamander is an active member.