The most sustainable expansion vessel now produced with ‘greentec steel’

Greentec steel production results in about 10% less direct carbon emissions compared with conventional manufacturing

Paving the way for sustainable heating is one of Aalberts hydronic flow control’s main goals; this translates into aiding customers to construct eco-friendly residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Samantha van Bree (Sales Manager voestalpine) and Gert-Jan van Holland (Purchase Manager Aalberts HFC)

Besides manufacturing products that are energy efficient, Flamco (part of Aalberts HFC) strives to exemplify responsible production as well. One of Flamco’s flagship products – the Flexcon Premium Expansion Vessel – allows us to maximize sustainability of our own production process by reducing, reusing and recycling (raw) materials, water and energy.

Until April 2022 these vessels were being produced from cold-rolled and electrogalvanized steep strip from voestalpine. For the first time we were supplied with greentec steel edition products this year – vital progress in circular design.

Why greentec steel?

Efficient and sturdy expansion vessels help make sure that water expansion goes unnoticed by building occupants. Yet, constant wear and tear results in leakage, and therefore costly maintenance and replacements. This is not only expensive, but wasteful. Therefore, designing an expansion vessel with an extended service life and the smallest possible environmental footprint was essential for Flamco.

Expansion vessels are a key part of hydronic heating systems. Diem Kemper, Product Marketing Director at Aalberts HFC: “The Flexcon Premium is already the most sustainable expansion vessel in the world. By using greentec steel, we make this vessel more sustainable,” he adds.

Using voestalpine’s greentec steel for production results in about 10% less direct carbon emissions compared with conventional manufacturing processes. Additionally, the gradual switch from a coal-based blast furnace route to the green-powered electric arc furnace makes it possible to reduce carbon emissions by about one third by the year 2030. The use of green hydrogen will allow carbon-neutral steel production by the year 2050.

Benefits of installation

The material’s reduced carbon footprint makes it possible for us to more effectively pursue our own sustainability goal of producing the most environment-friendly expansion vessel on the market.

An average expansion vessel must be replaced every 5-7 years, but the Flexcon Premium is unique in that it has a 15-year guarantee. By choosing Flexcon Premium, installers are opting for the most sustainable expansion vessel both in terms of service life but also environmental performance.

Wolfgang Mitterdorfer, Member of the voestalpine Management Board, affirms that “our partnership with Flamco enables us to develop new sustainable products together to transform the way building climates are managed. This meaningful contribution to the reduction of CO₂ footprints is a further step on voestalpine’s sustainability journey with key customers.”

The new edition of the Flexcon Premium Expansion Vessel is an added cost-efficient, sustainable solution for installers, wholesalers and building occupants. The move towards greentec steel is proof of Flamco’s unwavering commitment to producing the most energy efficient products for improved environmental performance of buildings. This also aligns with one of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals—Responsible consumption and production.