Sustainable demolition DGNB Gold certification for The Tube, Germany

• Frasers Property Industrial awarded the first DGNB Gold certificate for the sustainable demolition of existing buildings at The Tube in Düsseldorf-Reisholz

• Düsseldorf Lord Mayor Dr Stephan Keller visited The Tube to learn more about the successful transformation of the historic industrial site

Frasers Property Industrial has received the first-ever DGNB Gold certificate from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) for the sustainable demolition of The Tube, a new industrial and commercial park located in the south of Düsseldorf. 

This milestone marks the first time in Germany that the dismantling of industrial buildings has been officially recognised for its resource-conserving initiatives. The certification acknowledges the recycling of 70,000 tonnes of construction waste and 12,500 tonnes of steel, which were processed directly on-site. This effort significantly reduced CO₂ emissions by avoiding thousands of truck movements. 

To mark the achievement, Lord Mayor Dr Stephan Keller of Düsseldorf visited the former factory site to gain insights into how the industrial sector can better integrate sustainability into its practices. 

Alexander Heubes, Managing Director Europe at Frasers Property Industrial, said: "The Tube is truly unique. It embodies a new approach to warehousing, energy efficiency, and sustainability. We are proud to set a new standard with the City of Düsseldorf, rethinking practices to reduce environmental impact. Being the first company in Germany to receive this recognition is an exciting step forward for our industry." 

Reflecting on his visit, Mayor Dr Stephan Keller said, “The Tube demonstrates how we can grow as a city without expanding our industrial footprint, and how industrial development can succeed in an ecologically responsible manner. Sustainable urban development occurs when we effectively combine the best of the past with innovative, future-focused approaches. This form of transformation will benefit the entire economic region.” 

The 14-hectare site, once home to the steel tube manufacturer Vallourec, was fully revitalised within 18 months. The result is a state-of-the-art commercial site offering 76,900 m² of rental space, with 70 percent already leased to tenants such as Pharmaserv, Upway Deutschland, and Woltu.

Frasers Property Industrial is also pursuing DGNB Platinum certification for the overall development, which includes a large-scale photovoltaic system, heat pumps, smart metering, and landscaped outdoor areas. 

Further details about The Tube can be found at: www.the-tube.de.