Resource-efficient building materials – less is more!

In times of scarce raw materials, tightening environmental regulations, and rising construction costs, one question is becoming increasingly urgent: how can the concrete industry not only work more efficiently but also more intelligently with its materials? The answer lies quite literally in the lightness of construction – less is more!

Autoclaved aerated concrete is no longer a niche product, but an established building material with an impressive sustainability profile. Thanks to its fine pore structure, it offers excellent insulation properties as well as low self-weight, and therefore reduced material usage while maintaining high functionality. A cubic meter of AAC contains significantly fewer raw materials than comparable construction materials, yet it delivers higher performance criteria: less transport weight, reduced loads on foundations, and at the same time outstanding building physics.

While much of the industry is still searching for new formulas, the efficiency of AAC is based on a simple yet ingenious principle: more voids, less mass. And therein lies its strength. Every ton of raw material saved not only reduces CO₂ emissions during production but also cuts down on embodied energy throughout the entire lifecycle. Additionally, AAC stands to benefit from ongoing scientific and technological advancements in the future.

AAC can also be cleanly dismantled and recycled or reused by type, making it an ideal material in the context of a circular construction economy. The material’s combined characteristics of lightweight construction, superior thermal performance, and resource conservation remain unique amongst other building construction technologies.

Now more than ever, it is time to bring these advantages to the forefront – in dialogue with architects, planners, developers, and decision-makers. Those who choose AAC today are opting not only for economical and efficient construction but also for actively contributing to the sustainable transformation of our industry.

So here is my appeal: Let’s talk about AAC – not as an alternative, but as a role model. Let us use our technology, our projects, and our networks to make the benefits of this resource-saving material more visible.

Yours sincerely,

Michael von Ahlen