Vode Lighting, the first North American brand to integrate Hydro CIRCAL for sustainable innovation

Founded in 2006, Sonoma-based Vode Lighting is set to become the first company in North America to integrate Hydro CIRCAL into its products. By adopting low-carbon recycled aluminium produced domestically, Vode Lighting will reduce emissions, enhance supply chain resilience, and contribute to a circular U.S. economy.

Image Source: Hydro website

Specialising in high-performance linear LED architectural lighting, Vode partners with lighting designers, architects, and interior designers to illuminate public, commercial, and educational spaces. The company has already transitioned its top-selling product line, ZipTwo, to Hydro CIRCAL and plans to extend this sustainable shift across its entire product range whenever possible.

“We are impressed by Vode Lighting’s continuous commitment to reducing the embedded emissions in its products and are thrilled to see the company will be the first to manufacture its consumer products with Hydro CIRCAL in this market. Aluminium’s endless recyclability and superior performance characteristics make it the smartest material choice, and with recycled post-consumer scrap, it is also the most sustainable,” said Duncan Pitchford, Head of Commercial, Hydro Aluminum Metals USA.

Vode & Hydro CIRCAL

Vode Lighting will incorporate Hydro’s premium recycled aluminium, Hydro CIRCAL — a high-quality material made with at least 75 per cent recycled post-consumer scrap. Certified by independent third-party DNV on a batch-by-batch basis, Hydro CIRCAL boasts the industry’s lowest carbon footprint, emitting just 1.9 kg CO₂ or less per kilogram of aluminium.

In recent years, Hydro has expanded its North American recycling capabilities, investing in advanced sorting technology to support forward-thinking, sustainability-driven companies. These investments empower businesses to meet growing consumer demand for products made with responsibly sourced materials.

A more conscious market

As consumers become more conscious of the emissions embedded in materials, adopting recycled, low-carbon options can help companies stay competitive, meet evolving sustainability regulations, and safeguard their financial future.

While industrial and manufacturing companies are responsible for designing with sustainability in mind, consumers also play a vital role in driving demand for greener materials. Hydro CIRCAL, with third-party certification and full traceability throughout the value chain, empowers companies to have transparent conversations about material choices, giving customers a clear view of the environmental impact of their purchases. This transparency is increasingly seen as a valuable asset, helping businesses build resilience and long-term success.

“We always look at the full lifecycle of our products, from the initial design phase to the final delivery. Knowing that 80 per cent of our embodied carbon footprint comes from material production, finding the right material partner and supplier is imperative to support our strategy of creating environmentally conscious lighting solutions. We are proud to be the first to produce with Hydro CIRCAL. We hope that by talking more about the importance of material selection, we can inspire other U.S. manufacturers to make greener choices that will contribute to cutting emissions and accelerating the circular economy,” stated Leti Molina, Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer from Vode Lighting.