Wicona and Covivio are carrying out an exemplary circular renovation in Paris

This is WICONA's first 100% circular window replacement project in France, incorporating Hydro CIRCAL 100R aluminum profiles – made from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum – and AGC's Low-Carbon Thermobel Top glazing. This closed-loop window renovation saved 31,8 tons of CO₂ compared to a conventional European aluminium solution.

This approach demonstrates that carbon saving is not just an environmental lever: by making the building more circular and efficient, it increases its attractiveness, with up to +13% in resale value and +6% in occupancy rate.

A classic operation, a unique approach

The project focused on the east façade of this eight-story office building (nearly 5.000 m²). Built in the early 1950s, it had already undergone renovations in the 2000s, during which the sash windows were replaced with tilt-and-turn aluminum frames. As the performance of these windows had since become obsolete, they were replaced with the latest generation of WICONA windows, offering improved thermal, acoustic, and carbon performance. The project's exemplary nature lies in the approach proposed by the façade design firm Upsos.

According to Michel Graziani, Director of Development at Upsos: “Recycling materials is part of our standard recommendations for renovations. But here, we wanted to take the circularity approach to its logical conclusion, firstly by recovering all the removed glass and aluminum and directing it to dedicated recycling channels, and secondly by installing new joinery combining the lowest carbon glazing on the market with 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum.”

Seduced by this virtuous approach without excessive additional cost, the client approved the proposal.

In reality, a true circular revolution

• Full recovery and recycling of deposited glass and aluminum.
• Dismantling and on-site storage, up to the removal of all materials in one piece on-site.
• Orientation towards dedicated recycling channels for AGC and Hydro
• Full traceability is ensured by AGC for glass and Hydro for aluminum.
• Production of new low-carbon materials: Low-Carbon Thermobel Top glazing manufactured in AGC factories and Hydro CIRCAL 100R aluminium profiles from the Hydro foundry in Clervaux (Luxembourg), also dedicated to Hydro CIRCAL 75R billets.

This organization was based on a common set of specifications, precise planning and rigorous logistics, making it possible to achieve complete circularity of the façade package.

In reality, a true circular revolution

• Full recovery and recycling of deposited glass and aluminum.
• Dismantling and on-site storage, up to the removal of all materials in one piece on-site.
• Orientation towards dedicated recycling channels for AGC and Hydro
• Full traceability is ensured by AGC for glass and Hydro for aluminum.
• Production of new low-carbon materials: Low-Carbon Thermobel Top glazing manufactured in AGC factories and Hydro CIRCAL 100R aluminium profiles from the Hydro foundry in Clervaux (Luxembourg), also dedicated to Hydro CIRCAL 75R billets.

This organization was based on a common set of specifications, precise planning and rigorous logistics, making it possible to achieve complete circularity of the façade package.

Choosing the lowest carbon building materials on the market

• AGC Thermobel Top Low-Carbon glass

Composed of at least 50% recycled cullet, it boasts a record carbon footprint of 5,5 kg CO₂/m² for a 4 mm glass.

According to Stéphane Defrance, Head of Raw Glass Market Development for France at the AGC Group: “Since the 1980s, AGC has been committed to decarbonizing its production and products. On this project, we implemented our “Recycle Glass” service, which allows us to collect post-consumer glass and reintegrate it into our production, thus reducing the carbon footprint of our glazing. The Thermobel Top used here embodies this approach.”

• Hydro CIRCAL 100R: the lowest carbon aluminum in the world

Made from 100% post-consumer aluminum, it has a near-zero carbon footprint: 0,5 kg of CO₂e/kg of aluminum on average (compared to 6 to 8 kg for standard aluminum produced in Europe)

According to Christophe Estival, prescription director at WICONA: “With Hydro CIRCAL 100R, we are pushing the logic of recycling to its maximum. This first 100% circular removal and replacement process paves the way for accelerated decarbonization of the sector.”

The Line, a concrete and measurable project

For this Parisian project, the façade contractor Plastalu, a long-standing WICONA client, handled the removal of the existing windows, the manufacturing, and the installation of new casement windows with concealed hardware from WICONA's WICLINE 65 evo range. In total, 216 low-carbon windows, measuring 1,52 m W x 2,01 m H, with integrated blinds, were installed. The total carbon footprint of the aluminum façade, including the glass, is 28,8 tonnes of CO2, representing a reduction of 31,8 tonnes compared to a conventional European aluminum solution.

A high-performance, certified energy-efficient renovation

This renovation has made it possible to aim for compliance with the tertiary decree 2040, the application of the BACS decree for the technical regulation of buildings and an improvement of the BREEAM level of the building.

For Simon Imbert, Imogis company, project management and execution: "The thermal, acoustic, and low-carbon performance of the new windows and doors were decisive factors, along with the replacement of the building management system and the connection to the district cooling network via a cool room in the basement."

A first for WICONA, which is paving the way

With The Line, Covivio and its partners demonstrate that it is possible to reinvent traditional renovation projects by incorporating an ambitious circular economy approach. The project thus becomes a pilot site for circularity and façade decarbonization, which could inspire numerous future renovations in France and Europe.