Attention to quality, sustainability and joining forces

With 50 years of experience and over 50 members, the Dutch Association of Air Duct Manufacturers Luka has become an integral part of the air duct industry. Together, Luka members are responsible for approximately 90% of the Dutch air duct systems. "About 5,000 people work at our members on the basis of a strict quality system," says chairman Laura Nijburg. "But Luka is more than just air ducts. We have all facets of ventilation and air treatment technology in house and actively work together with chain parties to optimize air quality and achieve a healthy and clean living and working environment. But also to address current issues, so that the industry is taken to a higher level."

Luka was founded 50 years ago to boost the level of quality within the air duct industry. "Started with air duct manufacturers, more and more associate members have joined in recent years," Nijburg says. "These members manufacture and supply, for example, the fittings to create the complete air transport path from the air handling unit to the discharge ornaments. The resulting cross-fertilization is essential and provides opportunities to further improve the indoor climate."

Healthy indoor air, minimal energy consumption

"Luka's ambition is to become the knowledge and quality platform for healthy indoor air," says Nijburg. "To make this possible, we focus not only on the production of air ducts and fittings, but also on their assembly, service and maintenance. All our members are obliged to have X number of quality inspections carried out annually. Here we look, for example, at the storage of materials, the assembly of the systems and their airtightness." In this last area, Luka actively cooperates with TÜV Rheinland Nederland BV. "We are not a butcher who inspects his own meat," emphasizes Nijburg. "On the contrary. We very consciously work together with an independent inspection body, which when the results are good will issue the Luka quality certificate. This gives our members an important advantage over other market parties. After all, the Luka quality certificate guarantees the airtightness (class C or D) of the complete air transport route. Building owners are thus assured of sufficient clean air, without energy being lost through leaks. This is important in terms of energy efficiency and healthy indoor air. After all, air leaks not only cause energy loss, they are also an important collection and breeding ground for dust, moisture, mold and bacteria. Clean air ducts contribute to a healthy indoor climate, which not only benefits the environment but also the efficiency of a building. We therefore recommend inspecting the status of air ducts at least once every two years and cleaning, adjusting or sealing systems where necessary. Many members already offer this service."

Getting started on current market themes

Luka regularly works with working groups to discuss and promote (current) themes around sustainability, circularity, technology and education & labor market. But also to create awareness in the market. "Air transport routes were for a long time an understudied child in construction," Nijburg knows. "As a result of corona and the energy transition, however, the importance of healthy and clean indoor air has been put firmly on the map. A next step is to include energy conservation as well. An investment in quality, correctly designed and correctly assembled air ducts more than pays for itself. Both in energy consumption, service life and indoor climate level."

"Basically, the lifespan of our products is already long, but we want to go further in terms of sustainability," Nijburg says. "An important theme in this is to increase the value of materials. For example, by recording in materials passports and databases, so that when a building is demolished or transformed, it can be used as a raw materials bank. What materials are in a building? Where did they come from? How were they fixed and maintained? And are they suitable for reuse? We also look at the raw materials we use, potential alternatives for them, the detachability of systems and modularity. Moreover, a current topic we are currently working on is updating the cleanliness classes."

Members involved

Luka has its own technician training programs that focus on the quality, safety and environmental requirements agreed upon within the industry. "In addition, we regularly invite experts to share their knowledge and experiences with our members," Nijburg said. "That this is appreciated is proven by the high level of interest. The involvement of Luka members is enormous, which offers opportunities to make a real impact and to contribute sustainably to the challenges we face as an industry."

Collaboration is key

Nijburg joined Luka as president in May 2022. She used the past year in particular as a year of knowledge. "I got to know 'association land,' took stock of where we are now, and formulated objectives for the coming years in consultation," she says. "During the first year, I noticed how many social issues we face that can only be picked up in the chain. In construction, installation and engineering, many different parties are chasing the same goals. It is time that we start working together on these issues, increase our support and make a real difference. I want to give these collaborations an extra boost from Luka. After all: alone you go faster, but together you go further. Besides the continuous improvement of the field of air ducts my focus will be mainly on joining forces with others."