Vandersanden joins the Brick Valley sustainability programme
In line with our sustainability vision and strategy, we aim to make an even greater contribution to climate neutrality in one of our production regions in the Netherlands. By participating in Brick Valley, a sustainability programme involving four brick manufacturers and KNB Bouwkeramiek, we can make an even greater contribution to the green transition in the Gelders Eiland and De Liemers regions of Gelderland.
Brick Valley
Brick Valley is a pioneering programme led by four brick manufacturers for the region east of Arnhem, known as Gelders Eiland and De Liemers. Vandersanden operates two brickworks in this area, in Spijk and Tolkamer, situated directly on the River Rhine. The aim of Brick Valley is to at least halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Ultimately, the programme aims to achieve climate-neutral brickworks in both regions of Gelderland. This flagship project is supported by the trade association Koninklijke Nederlandse Bouwkeramiek and is recognised by the province of Gelderland as an important contribution to tackling climate change.
Exploring sustainable technologies
As part of Brick Valley, we are working with three other manufacturers to explore sustainable technologies that could contribute to a shared climate-neutral energy supply. These include research into new methods of generating renewable electricity and opportunities for hydrogen production. In addition, a feasibility study is being launched into the use of biogas as a fuel, while opportunities for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) are also being explored. Vandersanden has already made significant progress in developing carbon-negative bricks and has begun constructing its own wind turbine at one of its production sites in Belgium.
Our participation in Brick Valley underlines our motto ‘The best things are created together’. By joining forces, we can make an even greater contribution to an ambitious and urgent goal: creating a more sustainable living environment. As we play a significant role as an employer with two factories in the region, we can also contribute to a healthy community in this way.
In line with our own plans and innovations
At Vandersanden, we do business with future generations in mind, and we’re aiming for carbon-neutral production by 2050. As Europe’s largest family-owned brick manufacturer, we want to lead the way as the construction industry transforms. That’s why we’re investing heavily in sustainability and taking targeted steps to cut our energy use. In Tolkamer, for example, we’ve built our most environmentally friendly and sustainable tunnel kiln yet for producing our paving bricks, and we’ve installed solar panels on the roofs of our brickworks. We’re also finding ways to use fewer materials and developing carbon-negative bricks, innovations that bring our sustainability ambitions a step closer every day.
