Miolux: A lower carbon footprint with Fit 4 Sustainability

Created in 2009, Miolux is a joinery company specialising in contemporary spaces and furniture. It designs, manufactures and installs movable partitions, and carries out bespoke joinery work, including aluminium window frames and solar shading.

A joinery company committed to the environment

“Because we are conscious of the impact our activities have on the environment, it was obvious to Lionel Sac, Miolux’s manager, that we should improve our approach to waste sorting, our choice of suppliers and take other practical steps to reduce our carbon footprint and strengthen the circularity of our activities,” explains Magalie Meunier, CSR coordinator and HR manager.

The review also considered the actual carbon impact of one square metre of installed partition. This can only be quantified using a PCDS (Product Circularity Data Sheet). These data sheets act as a digital “identity card”, tracking a product’s circularity throughout its value chain.

Miolux’s catalogue includes several types of partition from the Phoenix range, including a solid partition with high acoustic performance and another with double glazing. The company was looking for a way to standardise its circularity data and make it more transparent, from design through to manufacturing and across the product life cycle. It was quickly directed towards the right tools. “During several preparatory meetings and the establishment of an energy community, Lionel got in touch with Luxinnovation. This enabled us to learn about the support scheme for which we were eligible under the Fit 4 Sustainability programme.”

Fit 4 Sustainability: assessing and reducing environmental impact

Launched by Luxinnovation in 2022, Fit 4 Sustainability is a support programme that helps companies established in Luxembourg assess and reduce their environmental impact through a strategic diagnostic co-funded by the State. It forms part of national efforts to achieve Luxembourg’s climate objectives and help companies comply with European sustainability regulations.

In practice, Fit 4 Sustainability offers eligible companies a strategic environmental diagnostic conducted by an external consultant recognised by Luxinnovation and specialising in this field. The assessment phase is co-funded by the Ministry of the Economy. At the end of the audit, the company receives a clear roadmap, with quantified recommendations on CO₂ reductions and the return on investment for each proposed action.

Fit 4 Sustainability highlighted certain aspects that we do not necessarily pay attention to in our day-to-day work. Magalie Meunier, Miolux

Companies may receive subsidies covering up to 80% of eligible fees for small companies, 70% for medium-sized companies and 60% for large companies, with aid capped at €100,000 per project.

A review that offered valuable insights

The diagnostic phase, carried out with the consultant +Impakt, now part of the Sweco Group, gave the Miolux team the opportunity to take a step back and review some of its practices. “It was quite an intensive process,” acknowledges Ms Meunier. “For example, it highlighted certain aspects that we do not necessarily pay attention to in our day-to-day work.”

One of the main lessons from the review was a greater awareness that every choice has an impact, whether it concerns materials, suppliers or production methods. “The process clearly encourages us to think more carefully about our decisions and gradually identify practical ways to improve.”

Three practical actions following the diagnostic

The diagnostic led Miolux to implement three initiatives:

• Changing supplier to reduce the carbon footprint of its supplies;
• Developing a production process that aims to reuse doors from its range;
• Seeking partnerships for waste collection to increase the recyclability of its waste.

Constructive support from Luxinnovation

The relationship with Luxinnovation, which began during meetings on energy communities, was strengthened through the support provided under the Fit 4 Sustainability programme.

“The different people we met were always attentive, available and open to discussion. They offered us relevant advice and practical ideas to consider. This made the discussions particularly interesting and valuable for our company.”

Next steps: PCDS sheets for the entire range

The programme’s follow-up was just one step for Miolux. The company now aims to produce PCDS sheets for its entire range of doors and other types of partitions. This will make it possible to document the impact of each product in a comparable and transparent way.

At the same time, the company updated its website with support from an SME Package offered by the House of Entrepreneurship.