Renewable energy

The use of renewable energy is one of the basic principles in Cradle to Cradle, and at Troldtekt, we are working systematically to increase the share of renewable energy in our production.

The share is almost 100 per cent (97.8 per cent in 2021).

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 the Climate Partnership that Troldtekt entered into with Ørsted back in 2012. The agreement means that, since July 2013, all our electricity comes from the Anholt offshore wind farm. We are an Ørsted climate partner because we want stable, carbon-neutral electricity supplies.

By entering into a climate partnership agreement, we are buying a guarantee that Ørsted produces power at one of their certified wind farms that corresponds to our consumption. The guarantee takes the form of RECS certificates (Renewable Energy Certificate System). By entering into this partnership, we have contributed to supporting and expanding wind power as a key energy source in Denmark.

Today, most of Denmark’s electricity consumption comes from wind power. This also means that we at Troldtekt need to buy certificates for a smaller proportion of our electricity consumption than previously in order to realise 100 per cent wind energy.

Biofuel and electric trucks

Also when it comes to heat energy and driving with fork-lift trucks at our factory site, we have made a targeted effort to reduce 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.

A lower energy consumption per unit

In terms of energy efficiency, we have also moved significantly. Our new production line was ready in 2019, and it was an opportunity to invest massively in new technology that benefits both the environment and our operating economy. At the same time, we have invested many millions of kroner in upgrading our existing production line in recent years.

In 2020, we saw the real results of our investments, and in the period from 2017 to 2020 we reduced the overall energy consumption per unit by an impressive 28.6 per cent.

Significantly lower carbon footprint with FUTURECEM

As we approach 100 per cent renewable energy in our production process, any further reduction must come from the use of cement as a raw material.

Troldtekt has developed a Cradle to Cradle-certified acoustic panel in which the cement has been replaced with the new reduced carbon cement type FUTURECEM^TM. FUTURECEM is a patented type of cement from Aalborg Portland which exploits the synergies between calcined clay and limestone filler. This means that much of the fired clinker in the cement can be replaced, resulting in a 30 per cent lower carbon footprint.

Troldtekt based on FUTURECEM has a carbon footprint that is 26 and 38 per cent lower than the carbon footprints of Troldtekt based on grey and white cement, respectively, measured throughout the entire life cycle of the acoustic panels. In 2021, almost all the energy – 97.8 per cent – consumed at Troldtekt’s own factory came from renewable sources.

Aiming for an even smaller footprint

Before launching FUTURECEM-based acoustic panels, we were in constant dialogue with our cement supplier, Aalborg Portland, which has made a commitment to the Danish government that it will reduce its CO₂ emissions by 70 per cent by 2050. The target is a 30 per cent reduction by 2030, which means that we – as a partner – have the chance to follow up on progress along the way.

Aalborg Portland’s goal will be achieved, among other things, through energy efficiency improvements, by phasing out fossil fuels, through carbon capture, the increased use of alternative or carbon-neutral fuels, the launch of greener cement products and the supply of carbon-neutral district heating to over 75,000 households.

At Troldtekt, we are also investigating binders that provide a possible alternative to cement. One example is geopolymers, which are not based on chalk, but instead on silica/alumina compounds, which are found in ash from biomass, for example. In collaboration with the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology (DBI) and with the support of Innovation Fund Denmark, we are looking into whether it is possible to use geopolymers as a raw material in Troldtekt acoustic panels and what would be required to do so.