Vandersanden, one of Europe’s largest and most sustainable brick manufacturers, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, joining Specification Magazine in the spirit of milestone celebrations that make 2025 a year of notable achievements and shared progress in the construction industry.
Founded in 1925 by Jaak Vandersanden with a single kiln in Kleine-Spouwen, Belgium, the company has grown from modest beginnings into a pioneering force in sustainable brickmaking. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, Vandersanden remains committed to its founding values of quality and forward-thinking innovation, whilst seeking new ways to reduce the environmental impact of the built environment.
Central to this century-long journey is Pirrouet®, introduced in 2023 as the world’s first CO₂-negative facing brick. This ground-breaking product exemplifies Vandersanden’s dedication to environmental stewardship. Unlike traditional bricks, Pirrouet® utilises carbonation technology, meaning the bricks are cured, rather than fired. Instead, one tonne of Pirrouet® absorbs 60 kg of CO₂ during curing, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of construction projects. During carbonation, the CO2 reacts with calcium-containing materials, creating carbonates and forming a hard, limestone-like brick that meets the European standard for ceramic facing bricks. Only 20% of the facing brick consists of primary raw material, with the rest sourced from residual flows from the steel industry.
The new brick is not only a fine example of sustainability, but it also delivers on aesthetics with its unique surface texture and its striking colours. This innovation addresses the urgent need for more sustainable building solutions and represents a tangible step towards climate neutrality – a goal Vandersanden has firmly embedded in its “Together to Zero” programme, aiming for a completely neutral footprint by 2050.
The development of Pirrouet® forms part of a broader strategy to transform brick manufacturing through product transition, energy efficiency, energy transition and Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS). Vandersanden’s other recent innovations, such as RoboBrick®, a system that automates the bonding of brick slips and reduces raw material and energy use by up to 60%, further cement the company’s reputation as a genuine sustainability pioneer.
Johan Deburchgrave, CEO of Vandersanden, comments, “Our success lies in our vision for the future. Where others saw bricks, we saw the future. Vandersanden is not just a manufacturer; we are a family business with a mission to build a future full of craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability.”
As milestones are celebrated across the industry this year, Vandersanden’s 100-year journey shines as a testament to what is possible when passion and purpose drive progress. Here’s to the anniversaries that inspire us all to build better, together!
To explore the full range of Vandersanden bricks and discover how they can enhance your next project, visit www.vandersanden.com.
