Clean Air & Climate Protection

The use of renewable energy is one of the basic principles of Cradle to Cradle Certified® and at Troldtekt we have systematically worked to increase the share of renewable energy in our production.

Electricity based on wind power

All the electricity used to produce our acoustic panels comes from renewable sources in the form of wind power. This is the result of an agreement that Troldtekt has with Ørsted. The agreement means that since July 2013 we have basically received our electricity from the offshore wind farm at Anholt. We signed the agreement because we want a fossil-free electricity supply.

When we as a company enter into an agreement, we are buying a guarantee that Ørsted will produce power at one of their certified wind farms corresponding to our expected consumption. The guarantee takes the form of RECS certificates (Renewable Energy Certificate System). With our agreement, we have contributed to supporting and expanding wind power as a key energy source in Denmark.

 

Biofuel and electric trucks

When it comes to heating energy and fork-lift truck driving at our factory site, we have also made a targeted effort to minimise the use of energy from fossil fuels. Our own biomass boiler supplies the heat for our production, and we have focused on replacing gas and diesel-powered trucks with electric trucks.

Together, these measures mean that we are approaching 100 per cent renewable energy at the factory. In recent years, the percentage has fluctuated between approximately 95 and 98 per cent.

A lower energy consumption per unit

In terms of energy efficiency, we have also taken a huge step forward. In 2019, our new production line was ready, allowing us to invest heavily in new and efficient technology that reduces energy consumption. At the same time, we have invested many millions of kroner in upgrading our existing production line in recent years.

In 2020, we really saw the results of our investments, and in the period 2017-2020, we reduced overall energy consumption per unit by more than 25 per cent. 

In 2022 and 2023, a pilot project showed great potential for energy savings through heat recovery in our drying process. We are now exploring the possibilities of reaping further energy gains by installing heat exchangers on several sections of our drying ovens.

In addition, a new Energy Management System will help us get a better and more detailed overview of energy consumption so we can take action on abnormally high consumption and identify potential energy savings.

Working on scope 3 reduction

As we approach 100 per cent renewable energy in our own production process – also referred to as scope 1 and scope 2 – it is through our use of the raw material cement (scope 3) that the reduction must be found. Cement accounts for approximately 99 per cent of the total carbon footprint of a Troldtekt panel.

FACTS: What are scopes 1, 2 and 3?

  • Together, scopes 1, 2 and 3 indicate a company’s carbon emissions.
  • Scope 1 covers emissions from sources that the company itself controls. For example, these can be our own cars, trucks and, not least, energy plants such as Troldtekt’s biomass boiler. 
  • Scope 2 covers the indirect emissions from the company’s energy consumption. At Troldtekt, it refers to the purchased electricity that comes from wind turbines. 
  • Scope 3 covers indirect emissions from sources over which the company has no control. In Troldtekt’s case, the vast majority of these emissions are related to the production of cement we buy from Aalborg Portland. 

 

A significantly lower carbon footprint with FUTURECEM

Troldtekt has developed a Cradle to Cradle certified acoustic panel where the cement has been replaced with the new low-carbon cement type FUTURECEMTM. FUTURECEM is a patented type of cement from Aalborg Portland which exploits the synergies between calcined clay and limestone filler.

It has required both product and process development at Troldtekt to be able to base our acoustic panels on FUTURECEM.

Troldtekt based on FUTURECEM has a lower carbon footprint than Troldtekt based on grey and white cement, measured throughout the entire life cycle of the panels. As of 2024, we have completely phased out the use of traditional grey cement. 

In the table below you can see a comparison of the different Troldtekt products based on traditional white cement and FUTURECEM, respectively. For example, a painted Troldtekt panel based on FUTURECEM has a carbon footprint that is 34 per cent lower than a painted Troldtekt panel based on traditional white cement.