Hungarian premiere: air ducts made from recycled steel at Univer’s factory in Kecskemét

Lindab, one of Europe’s leading air technology companies, has long been working to make clean, fresh air – essential for our health – available in indoor spaces in a sustainable manner. The company’s climate performance is recognised internationally: in the „Europe’s Climate Leaders 2025” ranking compiled by Financial Times, Lindab came second in the construction and building materials category.

The project was launched in January, marking the first time in Hungary that air ducts made from recycled steel have been installed as part of a construction project.

The development is taking place at the Kecskemét site of Univer-Product Zrt., a company wholly owned by Hungarian interests, located on Szolnoki út, where tomato purées, baby foods and other heat-treated sauces and dressings, as well as jams and fruit juices, are produced. A building on the factory site, which is nearly 70 years old, is being converted and modernised to meet today’s requirements.

As part of the investment, the staff facilities serving the plant’s employees will be refurbished: the area of approximately 310 square metres, comprising changing rooms and a staff canteen, will undergo a complete refurbishment. The refurbishment will involve redesigned interiors and a modern, durable ventilation system, with a particular focus on enhancing staff comfort.

Environmentally conscious design and construction

The mechanical engineering design work for the building’s renovation was carried out by G1 Épületgépész Kft.. During the project, Logall Kft. is responsible for the entire ventilation system installation. The openness and environmentally conscious approach of the participating companies played a key role in making this project a reality in Hungary. In several European countries, air ducts made from recycled steel are already widely used. The aim is to promote greener construction alternatives in Hungary with a view to reducing the built-in carbon footprint. Logall Kft. is a partner of Lindab and consistently applies high-quality, long-term sustainable solutions in its projects.

During the project, Lindab Safe circular cross-section air ducts with excellent airtightness values. However, every straight section of the circular ductwork was made from an alternative material consisting of 75 per cent recycled steel – a first in Hungary. A total of nearly 2,000 running metres of circular air ducts, manufactured from steel strip, were installed during the refurbishment of the staff facilities at the Kecskemét factory, with diameters ranging from 140 to 355 millimetres. The products were manufactured at the Lindab plant in Biatorbágy, and in terms of technical parameters, these products made from greener raw materials are identical to those made from conventional steel.

Almost entirely a Lindab system

The project involved not only the installation of the circular duct network but also the entire ventilation system, using Lindab products.

Among other things, the following have been installed: Lindab

• Safe circular duct fittings,
• rectangular duct sections,
• silencers,
• regulators
• anemostats.

The advantages of DIRU controllers include low noise levels, a steady airflow, and fixed measuring ports, which enable accurate measurement of the volume flow. The controllers can be fully opened, which also facilitates cleaning and maintenance of the system.

Measurable results: 16.7 tonnes of CO₂e saved

We have carried out a calculation relating to the project which shows the carbon footprint of the circular-section air ducts installed. Based on the results, the use of air ducts made from recycled steel will result in a total reduction of 16.7 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions. The scale of these savings can be clearly illustrated using examples from everyday life.

These 16.7 tonnes of CO₂e are roughly equivalent to:

• the carbon footprint of manufacturing 2,783 pairs of jeans,
• 5,567 hotel nights’ worth of energy and operational emissions,
• the environmental impact of producing 33,400 bars of 210-gram soap,
• or the energy required to charge more than 13.5 million smartphones.

Viewed from another perspective, this emission level is equivalent to:

• if we were to drive a car for nearly 98,000 kilometres,
• We would purchase 51 MWh of electricity from MVM,
• We would produce 3.34 million sheets of non-recycled A4 paper,
• 76 return flights between Budapest and Rome,
• or we would burn 6,847 cubic metres of natural gas.

A pilot project that could pave the way

Based on feedback received during the construction of the Lindab project in Kecskemét, the air ducts manufactured from recycled steel performed well, with no dimensional deviations or strength issues reported. The handover of the project is expected to take place in March.
This development is Hungary’s first construction project to use air ducts made from recycled steel. The participating companies share the common goal of ensuring that the Kecskemét project serves as a good example, and that future domestic projects also follow this more sustainable approach.

Recycled steel: without compromising on technology

The stages of steel production that have the greatest environmental impact are iron ore mining and primary steel production. The aim of Lindab is to establish a fossil-free value chain in which existing steel is returned to the cycle.

Steel containing at least 75 per cent recycled raw materials can be produced with CO₂ emissions up to 60–65 per cent lower than conventional steel, whilst its quality and technical properties are identical to those of standard products. Since March last year, air ducts manufactured in Biatorbágy have also been available, produced with climate awareness in mind.

A benefit for the investor, savings for the operator

In addition to the use of recycled materials, one of the objectives of the Lindab is to ensure that its ventilation systems minimise energy consumption. In addition to reducing operational carbon emissions, this results in significant long-term cost savings during operation.
The company’s solutions make a significant contribution to obtaining building certifications such as BREEAM, LEED or WELL, which not only increase the value of the property but also improve the comfort and health of those working and using the space. Energy-efficient ventilation systems thus serve both sustainability and the creation of a more liveable environment.