This interview was first published in Property Forum's annual listing of "The 50 most influential people in Romania's real estate market”.

What were some of Alukönigstahl Romania's business highlights from 2024 and what are your priorities for this year? 

2024 was a year characterized by resilience and strategic growth for Alukönigstahl Romania. Despite the challenging geopolitical and economic landscape, we successfully maintained our growth trajectory, consolidating our position as a leader in our segment within the Romanian-construction market. 

Our ability to adapt to changing conditions, combined with the trust we've built with our partners, has played a key role in achieving this positive performance. 

As we celebrate 30 years of presence in Romania in 2025, our focus is on further strengthening our commitment to innovation, sustainability and fostering long-term partnerships. 

We are prioritizing expansion within both the aluminium and PVC-U segments, aligning with the growing market demand for high-performance, energy-efficient solutions. 

This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past achievements, but a confirmation of our ongoing dedication to shaping the future of our segment in the Romanian construction industry. We continue to invest in technological excellence, uphold our core values and strengthen collaborations to drive success in the years to come. 

What are your expectations for the residential segment's contribution to your business in 2025? 

The residential market is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by an increasing emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental performance from both developers and end users. 

In 2025, we expect this segment to be one of the key drivers of our business. As the European Union accelerates its decarbonization initiatives the demand for sustainable envelope solutions is expected to rise. 

Our aluminium and PVC-U systems, renowned for their exceptional thermal insulation and longevity, are well positioned to meet this demand. More importantly, we provide our partners with the support and information they need to turn sustainability goals into tangible business benefits, combining design, performance and regulatory compliance to deliver high-value, future-ready solutions. 

What new significant projects in the aluminium, steel, or PVC systems supply are you anticipating to start or progress in 2025? 

In 2025, we are involved in several major developments across Romania. Two notable examples highlight our expertise in both aluminium and steel systems. 

On the aluminium side, Cortina Elysium, a premium residential project in northern Bucharest, features large glazed surfaces and modern architectural lines, for which our solutions guarantee top performance in energy efficiency and design flexibility. On the steel side, we are contributing to the One Gallery redevelopment project, where the historic Ford Factory in Floreasca is being transformed into a vibrant retail and office hub. 

The Jansen steel system we provide is perfectly suited for bringing buildings back to life, combining timeless aesthetics with modern design requirements and high-performance standards. 

These projects reflect how our solutions address complex technical requirements while aligning with contemporary urban development goals. 

What is Alukönigstahl Romania's outlook on raw material prices this year and what strategies are in place to mitigate potential cost impacts? 

The construction sector continues to feel the effects of geopolitical imbalances and inflationary pressures, particularly regarding material prices. However, Alukönigstahl Romania works to mitigate these challenges through several key strategies. 

We leverage our longstanding partnerships with trusted suppliers to ensure stable and reliable operations. Our ability to anticipate market changes and adapt our projects accordingly helps us minimize potential disruptions.  Additionally, our product portfolio includes energy-efficient systems that guarantee long-term value, offering clients durability and performance over time - a critical differentiator in a cost-sensitive market. 

How do you foresee Alukönigstahl Romania further assisting real estate developers in enhancing the sustainability of their projects in 2025? 

Our commitment to sustainability is deeply ingrained in the way we design, propose and deliver our solutions. 

In 2025, we will continue to offer real estate developers a comprehensive range of services, addressing not only the technical aspects of our systems but also the broader sustainability goals of their projects. 

A great example of our sustainable approach is the Schüco Focusing range in the PVC-U segment, developed to optimize material usage in the most environmentally friendly way. It incorporates a high proportion of recycled material in its core and is designed to be returned to the recycling process at the end of its lifecycle, contributing to a circular economy. 

Moreover, Schüco's innovative solutions, such as the Schüco Value Up program, offer a holistic approach to the renovation of existing buildings. This program includes energy-efficient systems, all designed to enhance both property value and energy performance. 

In line with our forward-thinking vision, we also place a strong emphasis on certified sustainability. 

With 75 Cradle to Cradle certified Schüco systems, we ensure that today's buildings meet tomorrow's standards. These systems not only support a healthy built environment but are also conceived as valuable sources of raw materials for the future, perfectly aligned with the principles of a true circular economy. 

Through these initiatives, we position ourselves not only as suppliers, but as active partners in our clients sustainability journey, helping them achieve their environmental goals while delivering high-value, long-lasting solutions. 

What specific market segments or types of projects will Alukönigstahl Romania be strategically focusing on in 2025 to ensure profitability and competitiveness? 

In 2025, we are focusing our strategic efforts on three key areas: sustainable office and residential development, energy-efficient refurbishment and public infrastructure particularly schools, hospitals and administrative buildings. Each of these segments presents not only growth potential, but also the opportunity to apply our technical expertise in a meaningful way. 

At the same time, we place great value on the trust of our partners. Many have been with us for decades, some for the full 30 years of our presence in Romania. Their loyalty is both a testament to our commitment and a key pillar of our continued success. Strengthening these relationships remains one of our top priorities, as we believe that long-term collaboration is essential to navigating an ever-evolving market.