FAQ
1. What is the exact process for production waste within Garone Habitat? Is it melted down, resold, or transformed?
Evolution of Circularity: Waste Flow Management and Green Recovery
Managing production waste within a modern window and door manufacturing plant is the first indicator of a truly ecological vision. At Garone Habitat, waste ceases to be a logistical burden and is transformed into a high-value by-product. The processing of a wood offcut begins immediately on the optimized cutting line, where advanced software minimizes waste right from the design stage. However, the unavoidable portion of wood waste undergoes thermal or mechanical recovery.
Transformation and Recovery of Wood Offcuts
Within the factory, wood offcuts are neither melted (a process not applicable to organic material) nor simply resold as raw material, but are integrated into an internal reuse cycle that supports the production facility’s energy autonomy. Sawdust and micro-clippings are conveyed through centralized extraction systems to storage silos. From there, the material can be used to generate heat for the paint booths and to heat the over 6,000 square meters of the facility, drastically reducing the purchase of natural gas. This process not only optimizes costs but also ensures local carbon neutrality, as the CO2 released is the same that the plant sequestered during its growth, effectively closing the carbon cycle.
2. How does Garone Habitat manage the disposal or recovery of more difficult materials, such as laminated glass or gaskets?
The Challenge of Multilayer Materials: Glass and Gaskets
One of the most complex issues in the window and door industry concerns bonded materials, such as safety laminated glass and co-extruded gaskets. The glass used by Garone Habitat is of the highest quality and, in the event of breakage or cutting waste, is sent to specialized recovery centers that separate the glass component from the PVB (polyvinyl butyral) film. This process is essential to ensure that the glass can be returned to the production cycle as “cullet” for new smelting, lowering furnace temperatures and reducing industrial emissions.
Gaskets, essential for thermal and acoustic insulation (UNI EN 1027, UNI EN 1026), pose a challenge due to their polymeric nature. Garone Habitat carefully monitors the condition of these components, recommending annual maintenance to prevent premature deterioration. Gasket production waste is segregated by elastomer type, facilitating mechanical recycling in other industrial sectors, such as rubber mats or soundproofing materials in construction.
3. What materials are used to package finished products, and what waste reduction strategies does Garone Habitat adopt?
Packaging and Waste Reduction Strategies
Finished product packaging is another area of green innovation. The company has adopted a “Plastic Reduction” policy, favoring the use of certified cardboard and recycled cellulose pulp corner pieces. Where protective film is essential to ensure the integrity of the window or door frame during international transport to Europe or America, recycled plastics or high-modulus stretch film are used, allowing for a reduced thickness of the material while providing the same level of protection. Garone Habitat’s formal goal is to reduce non-recyclable waste by 30% within the next three years, a challenge whose main achievement has been the almost total elimination of non-separable single-use packaging during the procurement of accessory components.
| Material Type | Waste Management | Sustainability Objective |
| Wood (Offcuts/Sawdust) | Internal Heat Recovery/Pelletization | Thermal Energy Autonomy |
| Laminated Glass | Mechanical Separation and Glass Recycling | Reduction of Melting Emissions |
| Elastomer Gaskets | Segregation and Recycling Mechanical | Reduction in landfill |
| PVC (Veka Partner) | Closed-loop recycling in a dedicated plant | Zero waste of secondary raw materials |
| Packaging | Certified cardboard and recycled plastic | 30% reduction in non-recyclable waste |
4. What percentage of the Garone Habitat plant’s total energy needs is covered by the photovoltaic system?
Energy Infrastructure and Process Decarbonization
Garone Habitat’s energy transition is manifested through structural investments in self-generation from renewable sources. With the construction of the new production facility, the company has expanded its photovoltaic surface area to meet the growing energy needs resulting from robotic automation.
5. How many tons of CO2 are saved each year thanks to the panels installed at Garone Habitat?
Calculating CO2 Savings and Photovoltaic Roofing
The company’s photovoltaic system covers a significant percentage of the plant’s total electricity needs, estimated between 40% and 60% depending on seasonality and production peaks. To understand the true impact, it is possible to calculate the tons of CO2 saved each year using the parameters of the national electricity mix.
Considering that producing 1 kWh of energy from fossil fuels emits approximately 0.53 kg of CO2, and assuming the plant’s annual production based on the surface area of the new facility (6,000 m2), the environmental savings are significant. If the system generated, for example, 500 MWh annually, the calculation would be:
500,000 {kWh} x 0.53 {kg CO2/kWh} = 265,000 kg of CO2 avoided
This equates to approximately 265 tons of CO2 saved from the atmosphere each year, a tangible contribution to the fight against global warming. In addition to CO2 savings, solar energy ensures stable operating costs, making the final price of windows and doors less exposed to geopolitical fluctuations in the energy market.
6. From which forests does the wood used by Garone Habitat come?
Traceability and Responsibility of the Raw Material: Wood
The heart of Garone products is wood, a renewable material par excellence, provided its extraction does not compromise the world’s forestry heritage. The company has made rigorous choices, selecting only suppliers who guarantee sustainable forest management.
7. What protections do the FSC and PEFC certifications obtained by Garone Habitat guarantee to its customers?
FSC and PEFC Certifications: Concrete Guarantees
Obtaining FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certifications is not just a marketing exercise, but a commitment to the “Chain of Custody.” For the customer, this means:
- Protection of Biodiversity: The forests of origin (primarily European and North American) are not subject to uncontrolled deforestation, but to selective felling that preserves the ecosystem.
- Mandatory Reforestation: For every tree felled, new trees are guaranteed to be planted, maintaining a constant or growing forest biomass.
- Social Rights: The rights of workers and indigenous peoples living in forest areas are guaranteed.
The wood comes from managed forests where the growth cycle is scientifically monitored. Partners like Accoya take this concept to the extreme, using fast-growing woods (such as radiata pine) that, thanks to molecular modification processes, acquire the durability of tropical woods without having to touch the primary forests of the Amazon or Africa.
8. In addition to FSC-certified wood, can Garone Habitat guarantee the use of water-based paints and natural glues?
Innovation in Finishing: Green Chemistry and Indoor Well-being
A sustainable window and door must be healthy even once installed. The use of water-based paints and natural adhesives is standard for Garone Habitat, with the goal of eliminating Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions inside homes.
Renner Aquaris and Adler Aquawood Technology
The use of water-based paints from the Renner Aquaris range or Adler’s Aquawood Diamond system represents the pinnacle of ecological protection. These paints do not use aggressive chemical solvents, but rather water as a dispersion medium for acrylic and polyurethane resins.
- Extreme Resistance: Unlike older water-based paints, current systems offer a surface hardness comparable to catalyzed products, resisting scratches, creams, and grease.
- Elasticity: The paint film remains elastic over time, adapting to the micro-movements of the wood caused by changes in humidity, thus preventing the flaking that characterized window and door frames of the past.
- Certified Durability: Garone Habitat offers paint warranties of up to 13 years, a figure that far exceeds market standards for artisanal products.
| Paint Characteristics | Environmental Benefits | Environmental Benefits Customer |
| Solvent-free | Zero VOC emissions into the air | Healthy air and no odors in the home |
| Integrated UV filters | Longer product life | Reduced maintenance frequency |
| Self-consuming technology | Easy touch-ups without sanding | Saves time and renovation costs |
| Bio4Ever certification | Scientific validation by CNR-Ivalsa | Security of an investment lasting |
9. What are the main benefits or initiatives that Garone Habitat implements to improve the lives of its employees?
Corporate Welfare: Technology at the Service of Humanity
Garone Habitat’s technological evolution, culminating with the introduction of robotics in 2015, has had the primary objective of improving the quality of life of its employees. In a region like Campania, the investment in a cutting-edge production center in Polla (Salerno) represents a catalyst for high-quality employment.
10. How does Garone Habitat invest in technologies to improve the quality of work life for its employees by eliminating the most burdensome or dangerous tasks?
Robotics, Automation, and Workplace Safety
The integration of robots into production lines hasn’t replaced manual labor, but rather retrained it. The heaviest and most dangerous tasks, such as lifting thermal glass panels that can weigh hundreds of pounds or applying paint in the booth, are now entrusted to automated systems. This has led to:
- Elimination of Occupational Illnesses: Drastically reduced musculoskeletal disorders related to manual handling of loads.
- Healthy Work Environment: Robotic paint booths are confined spaces that prevent operators from coming into contact with spray mist, even though these are already low-toxicity water-based products.
- Innovative PPE: The company has introduced latest-generation Personal Protective Equipment, integrated with safety monitoring systems, ensuring that every operation is carried out in zero-risk conditions.
The company regularly organizes training courses not only on the use of machinery, but also on ecology, sustainability, and material innovation, so that each employee becomes an ambassador for the company’s “green vision.”
11. Why did Garone Habitat choose international partners such as Accoya, Veka, and Renner?
Strategic Partnerships: Accoya, Veka, and Renner
The choice of partners is not dictated solely by economic factors, but by a profound sharing of ethical and technical values.
Accoya: Eternal Wood
Why choose Accoya? It’s a question of extreme durability. Through the chemical reaction of acetylation, the wood becomes resistant to fungi and bacteria, with dimensional stability that reduces swelling and shrinkage by 75%. Chemically, acetylation transforms hydroxyl groups (which love water) into acetyl groups (which repel water):
R−OH+(CH 3 CO) 2 O→R−OCOCH 3 +CH 3 COOH
This ensures that the window or door lasts 50 years above ground and 25 years underground or in fresh water, a longevity that is the purest form of sustainability: not having to replace the product.
Veka: The Closed Cycle of PVC
The partnership with Veka is fundamental for the PVC window and door line. Veka was the first company in Europe to create a dedicated recycling plant, ensuring that PVC from old windows and doors is regenerated to produce new profiles of equal quality, reducing the environmental impact associated with the production of virgin polymers.
Renner: The Defense of Design
Renner was chosen for its ongoing research in green chemistry. Participation in the Bio4Ever project with the CNR demonstrates its commitment to testing the limits of cladding resistance, ensuring that the warmth and prestige of wood remain intact for decades with minimal maintenance.
12. What is the advantage of Garone Habitat fixtures?
Garone Habitat’s competitive advantage lies in the synthesis of three pillars: Industrial Engineering, Certified Sustainability, and Made in Italy Design. While many competitors simply assemble components, Garone designs each system in-house, verifying their performance in its own laboratories and subjecting them to the stringent UNI EN tests for CE marking.
Technical Performance and Historical Durability
A Garone window or door doesn’t just “survive” market standards, it redefines them. Thanks to the combination of materials such as laminated wood, thermally broken aluminum, and solar control glass, Garone windows and doors offer:
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- Superior Thermal Insulation: Top-in-class U_w thermal transmittance, allowing for energy savings of up to 40% on your bill.
- Acoustic Insulation: External noise reduction of up to 45-48 dB, ensuring ideal acoustic comfort even in noisy urban environments.
- Load Resistance: Certified load-bearing capacity of safety devices and impact resistance, for a home that is not only beautiful but also safe.
13. What maintenance tips do you give to customers who choose Garone Habitat to make their windows and doors last longer?
Maintenance Guide for Maximum Longevity
To ensure a quality window or door lasts a lifetime, Garone Habitat provides its customers with precise instructions. Routine maintenance is simple but essential:
- Regular Cleaning: Use specific products such as Renner’s T.Clean and T.Top+ at least twice a year (spring and fall). These products are not just cleaners, but nourish the paint, restoring UV filtering and surface elasticity.
- Seal Care: Clean with a soft cloth and apply a thin coat of Vaseline oil or silicone spray annually to maintain elasticity and ensure perfect airtightness.
- Hardware Lubrication: A biannual check of the Artech hardware, including lubrication of the locking points and adjustment of the hinges, ensures that the door is always perfectly aligned with the frame.
In the event of minor surface damage, the nature of the wood allows for quick repairs with light sanding and the application of a water-based finish. This is impossible with materials like low-quality PVC or powder-coated aluminum, which often require replacement in the event of deep scratches.
14. What is the vision of the Garone Habitat company?
Toward a Zero-Emissions Future
Garone Habitat represents the excellence of a manufacturing company that has evolved without betraying its roots. The new production facility in Polla, with its energy efficiency and robotic automation, is not just a factory, but a laboratory of applied sustainability. Choosing a Garone window and door means investing in a product that reduces your home’s CO2 emissions, supports the responsible management of the world’s forests, and guarantees a fair and safe working environment for its producers. The company’s greatest challenge has been demonstrating that fine Italian craftsmanship can become a green industrial powerhouse, capable of competing on global markets with the strength of its ethical values and uncompromising technical quality.
