Leading the Way in Sustainable Aluminium Manufacturing

As Ireland’s largest manufacturer of finished and semi-finished aluminium products, Architectural & Metal Systems (AMS) is at the forefront of sustainable aluminium. A leading supplier of aluminium curtain wall, window, and door systems, AMS serves as a single-source supplier to glazing subcontractors across Ireland.

Uniquely positioned as the only aluminium extruder in Ireland, AMS also manufactures bespoke extrusions for customers in industries such as construction, data centre infrastructure, life sciences, and renewable energy. Sustainability is central to AMS’s mission, with ongoing initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, consolidate supply chains, and offer environmentally responsible solutions.

In 2023, AMS took a significant step by switching to aluminium billet containing at least 50 percent post-consumer scrap for its window, door, and curtain wall products. This initiative has resulted in an approximate 65 percent reduction in embodied carbon compared to the European industry average. By prioritising the use of recycled materials, AMS reduces reliance on virgin aluminium while supporting architects, specifiers, and developers in meeting sustainability targets.

The company offers low-embodied-carbon billet, including high-recycled-content aluminium and hydroelectrically smelted primary aluminium, to ensure environmentally responsible materials are available to customers and specifiers. One of the biggest challenges in sustainable aluminium manufacturing is the complexity of traditional supply chains, which often involve multiple transportation stages across different processing facilities. AMS has addressed this by vertically integrating key processes, ensuring that products are designed, extruded, and finished in-house.

By keeping essential services such as powder coating, anodising, bar-length assembly, and thermal breaking within its own facilities, AMS minimises transportation emissions and reduces lead times. This integrated approach allows glazing subcontractors to benefit from a streamlined, low-carbon aluminium supply chain, helping them to meet the growing demand for sustainable building solutions.

AMS has made substantial investments in renewable energy and resource efficiency to further reduce its operational carbon footprint. A one-megawatt solar panel system, consisting of 2,500 panels, is already in place, forming the first phase of a planned four-megawatt project.

Additionally, a rainwater harvesting system has been implemented to reduce reliance on public water supplies. These initiatives demonstrate AMS’s commitment to ensuring its manufacturing processes are as energy-efficient and environmentally responsible as possible. By integrating renewable energy sources and optimising resource management, the company is taking tangible steps toward lowering the overall carbon footprint of its operations.

Sustainability efforts must be backed by clear, verifiable data. AMS prioritises transparency by providing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its window, door and curtain wall products and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for extrusion customers. These Life Cycle Assessments can be developed into product-specific EPDs to support customers in achieving sustainability certifications.

By making this data available, AMS enables architects, specifiers, and developers to make informed decisions regarding the environmental impact of their projects. The company’s commitment to transparency ensures that its sustainability claims are backed by measurable, industry-recognised standards.

To streamline specification processes, AMS is a long-standing Bimstore partner, providing architects and designers with technical data and product imagery in a user-friendly digital format. By ensuring this information is readily accessible, AMS facilitates the seamless integration of sustainable aluminium solutions into modern building designs.

With a strong commitment to sustainability, vertical integration, and renewable energy, AMS is setting the benchmark for low-carbon aluminium systems in Ireland and beyond. By offering innovative, energy-efficient solutions, the company is not only reducing its own environmental impact but also empowering its customers to build a more sustainable, low-carbon future.

This article featured in the Spring '25 edition of BIMCRUNCH. Enjoy the full magazine here. To explore further or to download BIM objects from AMS, simply join Bimstore for free access to their products and accompanying literature. For additional insights, visit their manufacturer profile on Bimstore, their company website or socials.