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VDL Sports Projects as co-creator of sustainable sports environments
At VDL Sports Projects, we believe sustainability does not stop at words, but starts with action.
As part of VDL Groep – a family business whose strength comes from collaboration, innovation and social responsibility – we develop and produce sports environments that perform while respecting people and the environment.
We contribute to VDL Groep’s sustainability ambitions by reducing the impact on energy consumption, material use and lifespan in every project. Our role as co-creators means that we think along from the design stage about smart, efficient and circular solutions. In this way, we build sports venues that add value to their surroundings not only now, but also in the future.
Sustainability starts with choices.
Within VDL Groep, we have more than one hundred specialised companies that collectively manage the entire chain, from materials development and engineering to assembly, maintenance and service. This integrated strength enables us to focus on reuse, CO₂ reduction and extending product lifespans as early as the design phase, fully in line with VDL Groep’s sustainability strategy.
Where possible, we apply the 9R methodology (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle) to close material loops and minimise residual waste.
Through product and material analyses (LCAs), we can precisely measure how our choices contribute to the Groep’s sustainability targets:
– 50% reduction in scope 1 and 2 CO₂ emissions by 2030 (compared with 2022)
– 75% of supply chain partners committed to Paris-aligned reduction targets by 2028.
For a new project, we ask ourselves the same question:
"How can we achieve the same result with less material, less energy and a longer lifespan?"
A sustainable sports environment does not only generate energy upon completion, but also during use.
Our structures, floodlight masts and pitch installations are designed for low energy demand and high efficiency. We integrate LED technology, smart controls and sensor technology that adapt to usage intensity. Our materials are selected based on life cycle assessments and provenance (preferably from European supply chains) and prepared for reuse or refurbishment.
Within VDL Groep, work is under way to electrify production processes, expand in-house solar energy capacity and recover heat. VDL Sports Projects is contributing to this by combining energy savings, monitoring and circular installation solutions in sports infrastructure as well.
Scarcity of raw materials calls for a different way of thinking. Our approach focuses on design for disassembly, modular construction and the use of secondary materials without compromising on quality. In collaboration with fellow companies within VDL Groep, we share knowledge about material flows, reuse and recycling. Every project provides data that helps us further reduce our environmental impact and inform future product passports.
At VDL Sports Projects, we see sustainability as a shared responsibility. Every discipline, from engineering to installation, contributes to a greater whole. By working together within VDL Groep, we create an ecosystem in which innovation, circularity and performance go hand in hand. In this way, we build not only aesthetic sports environments, but also a future that stands the test of time. Sustainable performance starts with sustainable production.