Few people associate metal with sustainability, but at DAMPA, we do.
For more than 70 years, DAMPA has utilized the circular properties of metal to create outstanding acoustic solutions in Class A.
Acoustic Solutions in Metal
Since 1951, the company based in Funen, DAMPA, has focused on optimal utilization of materials and ensuring that materials remain in the circular loop. In recent years, the development for greener solutions has accelerated, for example, through the company’s completed GCO (Green Circular Transition) project and greener raw materials for the company’s products—acoustic solutions in metal. However, the green journey is not always without challenges, as metal is generally not considered sustainable.
The choice of metal was not accidental. By creating acoustic solutions in aluminium and steel, the properties of metals are used to create robust solutions with long lifespans for various environments, while still ensuring special design freedom and Class A acoustic solutions.
This applies to both acoustic ceilings and acoustic wall panels.
Metal as a Recycled Material
Despite metal being a heavy material to extract, it has circular properties. This is because the metal can be recycled again and again after extraction, thus remaining in the circular loop, as CEO Michael Nykjær explains:
It is an incredibly exciting and, not least, important journey we have decided to focus extra on. Despite its many advantages, the general perception is that metal is outside the ‘sustainability club’—and that’s a shame.
Because ensuring that the natural material remains in the circular loop, there are CO2 benefits to be gained for our planet by recycling materials, while also having solutions that can last long into the future, thereby reducing the continuous production of new products.
At DAMPA, the focus is on ensuring proper source sorting so that surplus material can be recycled to create new products. Furthermore, the robustness of the metal contributes to the acoustic solutions often being reusable after their initial use, such as by moving them to another area. If the solutions are not desired for reuse, the metal can be correctly sorted and melted down for reuse in new projects. Thus, DAMPA’s acoustic solutions can get a new life due to the metal, whether through reuse or recycling.
A Step Closer to CO2 Neutral Steel
While the company has ensured greener aluminium in the production of their acoustic solutions by using aluminium consisting of 75% “Post Consumer Aluminum,” they are also looking into the development of other solutions. Currently, 20-30% recycled steel is used in the production of their steel acoustic solutions, but the goal is to become even greener.
Therefore, it is also important to have a close collaboration with the company’s steel supplier SSAB, which is currently developing fossil-free steel—a development in which DAMPA is eager to participate.
Michael Nykjær has personally held the product in his own hands and enthusiastically states:
It is expected that the production of fossil-free steel will be fully operational by 2030. Until then, DAMPA will gladly participate in tests and pilot projects with SSAB to create CO2-neutral acoustic products made of steel. And it is not just a wild dream.
The article was originally published in Byggeri+Arkitektur—read the original article here. (In Danish)