Low-carbon PVC joinery: VEKA REcycle ORAÉ® wins award at the ACTES 2026 Trophies

An eco-design approach applied to the entire window

At the ACTES 2026 trade fair organised by UNTEC in Chartres on June 4 and 5, VEKA France received the GOLD Trophy in the "Innovative Equipment" category for its VEKA REcycle ORAÉ® approach.

This initiative, developed with Saint-Gobain Glass France, aims to reduce the environmental footprint of window and door frames by simultaneously addressing their two main components: the PVC profile and the glazing. The objective is to incorporate more recycled materials while maintaining the expected characteristics in terms of durability, thermal performance, and usability.

The VEKA profiles used in this approach incorporate up to 70% recycled material, primarily from old windows collected and processed by VEKA Recycling. They are combined with CLIMAPLUS ORAÉ® glazing that incorporates up to 64% recycled glass.

Environmental data usable in RE2020 projects

For project owners, architects, construction economists and design offices, the availability of reliable environmental data is now a central issue in operations subject to the requirements of RE2020.

The VEKA REcycle ORAÉ® approach is based on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) compliant with the EN 15804+A2 standard and published in the INIES database. These declarations allow for the direct integration of the environmental performance of windows and doors into Life Cycle Assessment calculations for buildings.

According to data provided by VEKA France, VEKA REcycle ORAÉ® joinery has a carbon footprint of 42 kg CO₂ eq./m². This value is accompanied by the maintenance of the characteristics usually sought in PVC joinery, particularly in terms of resistance, maintenance and longevity.

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An industrial sector organized around the recycling of materials

Beyond the product itself, the distinction obtained at the ACTES Trophies highlights an industrial organization based on the circular economy.

The process involves several links in the value chain: collection and recycling of old PVC windows, recovery of flat glass, extrusion of profiles, manufacturing of glazing units, and then assembly of the window and door frames. This organization ensures the traceability of recycled materials as well as the consistency of environmental data used in the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

For joinery manufacturers committed to this approach, this structure facilitates the provision of products that meet the growing expectations of the residential, commercial and public markets in terms of reducing carbon footprint.

This recognition reinforces the development of the sector.

The OR ACTES 2026 Trophy also rewards the cooperation undertaken between VEKA, Saint-Gobain Glass France, VEKA Recycling and the partner manufacturers participating in the deployment of VEKA REcycle ORAÉ®.

Seventeen joinery manufacturers are already involved in this industrial approach. Their commitment demonstrates the sector's growing interest in solutions that combine material recycling, environmental traceability, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

“VEKA France intends to continue the development of VEKA REcycle ORAÉ® in order to support the entire French sector towards ever more efficient solutions, which are part of a logic of continuous improvement meeting the objectives of low carbon building and the PMCB EPR,” concludes Sylvain Grandviennot, Head of Environmental Approach for Customers at VEKA France.

As environmental requirements become more stringent in both new construction and renovation, approaches combining recycled materials, verified FDES and industrialized production could play an increasingly important role in the specification strategies of carpentry and building professionals.