Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. ("Takasago Thermal Engineering"), YKK AP Inc. ("YKK AP"), and Hanwa Co., Ltd. ("Hanwa") will begin full-scale operation of an initiative in June 2026 to utilize 100% recycled aluminum material for manufacturing mechanical equipment units in Takasago Thermal Engineering's "T-Base® Project." This is the first initiative of its kind in the building equipment industry (*1) (according to Takasago Thermal Engineering). By introducing this material to the aluminum frame construction method (*2), CO2 emissions will be reduced by 10.8% (*3) compared to conventional construction methods.
This initiative is jointly promoted by the three companies, each with strengths in materials manufacturing and supply, distribution, and construction, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact during the construction phase of mechanical equipment units. By adopting 100% recycled aluminum material for mechanical equipment units, stable procurement and efficient utilization of recycled aluminum materials are enabled. This realizes a reduction in CO2 emissions generated during the construction process, while simultaneously improving construction quality and productivity.
The amount of CO2 emissions reduced is calculated targeting "upfront carbon," which refers to CO2 emissions generated before the completion of a building, from the manufacturing of construction materials to the construction phase. A limited assurance report by an independent third party in accordance with the International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE 3000 / ISAE 3410) was obtained on April 1, 2026.
Moving forward, utilizing the knowledge gained this time, the companies aim to further promote the low-carbonization of mechanical equipment units utilizing T-Base®, while aiming to realize a circular economy originating from the construction industry through the construction of an aluminum resource circulation scheme.
*1 Building equipment industry: In this release, targets the building equipment fields such as air conditioning, electrical, and sanitary equipment. *2 Aluminum frame construction method: One of the standardized unit "T-Base® Menus" deployed in the T-Base® project. A construction method in which chambers, frames, and various vibration-proofing materials, mainly for air conditioning equipment, are collectively constructed and unitized off-site and delivered to the site. Aims for labor-saving in on-site construction and leveling of processes. It is open through agencies and can be implemented by companies other than Takasago Thermal Engineering. *3 CO2 reduction rate: 10.8% is a calculated value targeting a typical specification (#800) of a concealed fan coil unit (FCU).
Aluminum frame construction method (concealed fan coil unit)
Roles of each company
[Takasago Thermal Engineering] Provides customers with building equipment unit construction utilizing recycled aluminum material, implementing the environmental value of reducing CO2 emissions during the construction phase as concrete construction. As an "Environmental Creator®," develops decarbonization initiatives in the building equipment field to the market.
[YKK AP] Supports this initiative in the industrial products business, which manufactures and sells aluminum profiles used for a wide variety of purposes. Supplies 100% recycled aluminum material (YKK AP brand name: "Re・AL" *4) and contributes to reducing environmental impact. *4 Re・AL https://www.ykkapglobal.com/ja/newsroom/releases/20251031_2
[Hanwa] Utilizes its knowledge of materials distribution to build a scheme for procuring, processing, and supplying recycled aluminum for the building equipment field. Supports the realization of a sustainable supply chain by backing the stable supply of materials.
About Takasago Thermal Engineering's "T-Base®" Under the group purpose of "Pioneering the future of the earth with environmental innovation," Takasago Thermal Engineering, as an "Environmental Creator®," has viewed the issues surrounding "construction" faced by the construction industry, such as population decline, work style reform, productivity improvement, and environmental impact reduction, as an opportunity for growth.
T-Base® is a platform that implements "transformation of the construction business process" across the entire business process, including sales, design, procurement, production, construction, and operation, not limited to the on-site construction process, toward solving the issues faced by the construction industry.
By co-creating with a wide supply chain, the company is also developing an environment that enables diverse human resources to play an active role through standardization and the advancement of production management.
Through T-Base® initiatives, Takasago Thermal Engineering aims to contribute to improving the productivity of the entire construction industry and creating value that contributes to a sustainable society.
T-Base® Details: https://www.tte-net.com/corporate/articles/t-base/index.html
Difference between conventional construction methods and units produced with T-Base® In conventional building equipment construction, "custom-made construction," where specifications and designs differ for each site, has been the mainstream, and materials used have been procured individually for each property. Therefore, there has been a challenging aspect to systematically and stably utilizing environmentally friendly materials such as recycled materials. In contrast, in T-Base® developed by Takasago Thermal Engineering, there is a shift to "off-site" production, unifying the construction process.
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Partnership
- Products / services: T-Base