DILITE® FIVE-DOT-MISSION
DILITE®, the economic aluminium composite panel has been assessed in line with our MISSION: TOGETHER. RESPONSIBLE. The product currently achieves a FIVE-DOT classification with a total of 7 points.
In the core of our DILITE® panels we exclusively use recycled LDPE, and this means we are able to make an important contribution to closed-loop recycling. By using recycled core material, approximately 6,700 metric tons of LDPE virgin material can be saved every year. We work with selected European suppliers to source recycled LDPE of a consistently high quality. Continuous quality assurance is an essential part of this process for us. What is more, all DILITE® panels comply with the requirements in the current version of the REACH & RoHS directives. Not only is DILITE® core material recycled, the aluminium used in our aluminium cover sheets is also in part recycled. Aluminium is one of the materials best suited to recycling because regardless of how often it is recycled, there are no detrimental effects on its material properties. We intend to increase the proportion of recycled aluminium in our cover sheets in the future.
As the production of aluminium and the core material polyethylene are energy-intensive, there is embedded fossil carbon in DILITE®. Using recycled LDPE, has already significantly reduced the CO2 footprint. Changing electricity generating methods for aluminium production is another means of reducing the amount of fossil carbon.
Our durable DILITE® panels are used for indoor and outdoor applications. In terms of weather resistance, the full range of selection criteria advocate the use of DILITE®. The panels are temperature resistant from -50°C to +80°C, waterproof and UV-resistant.
DILITE® is completely recyclable, i.e. both the core material and the aluminium cover sheets are recycled and used to produce new material. The material can be separated by cutting it into small pieces using, e.g. granulators or shredders, and then sorting it by type for reuse or recycling. There are standard practices and specialised recycling companies for this purpose. In addition, we are engaged in setting up regional networks with trading partners and recycling companies to create recycling systems for aluminium composite panels. We launched the first pilot project in Switzerland in 2021. We are also a member of the A|U|F e.V., an association, which specialises in establishing a recycling network consisting of as many environmental and collection partners as possible in Germany. This is intended to facilitate the return of aluminium composite panels to the material cycle via short transport routes.