CO2Check – Calculator

How CO2Check works

CO2Check is a digital tool developed by Toftegaard Group. Its purpose is to give both private homeowners, contractors, and consultants a simple way to assess the CO2 footprint of building materials.

The calculator is based on facades. When you enter area, brick format, mortar thickness, and mortar type, the tool calculates an estimate of how much CO2 is emitted when using traditional materials compared with the new CO2-negative alternatives. We are working on updating CO2Check to calculate 3 central building elements: foundation, facade, and floor slabs.

The figures are indicative, but they provide a solid basis for making more sustainable choices in your next project.

Why CO2 in construction matters

From July 1, 2025, CO2 requirements in the Building Regulations have been tightened in Denmark. The threshold values now apply to most new construction, and documentation must show the total climate impact of materials and execution.

The construction process itself now also counts: transport, machinery, energy, and waste on the building site must be included in the CO2 accounting and documented.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand how material choices affect the outcome. With the CO2 calculator in CO2Check, you can compare and see the difference between facades built with Pirrouet versus traditional bricks.

In short: stricter requirements demand better insight. CO2Check provides a quick, practical estimate early in the project.

What Pirrouet can do that traditional materials cannot

Traditional bricks are well-known, but they have a high climate impact because they emit large amounts of CO2 during production. With the new climate requirements in construction, alternatives are needed that not only reduce emissions but actively contribute to a better climate balance.

Pirrouet bricks from Vandersanden work in such a way that instead of emitting CO2 during production, the bricks permanently store CO2 in the material itself. Traditional bricks typically emit several hundred kilos of CO2 per ton, but Pirrouet absorbs around 60 kg of CO2 per ton of bricks. They are made from 100% recycled materials, can be fully recycled, and thus provide a circular solution for facades.

The combination of high technical quality with a documentable CO2 reduction makes Pirrouet an obvious choice for builders and consultants who want to comply with the new climate requirements—without compromising on durability or design.

How the calculator can be used by both private and professional users

CO2Check has been developed as a practical tool that can be used by both private homeowners and professional stakeholders in the construction industry. Whether you are working on a small renovation project or a larger new build, the calculator gives you a quick insight into the climate footprint of the materials.

For private users the calculator is a simple way to see how much CO2 can be saved by choosing CO2-negative materials such as Pirrouet. This makes it easier to make sustainable decisions when choosing bricks for a new house. The figures can also be used to document to the bank or the municipality that construction is carried out with consideration for the climate.

For professionals – architects, engineers, contractors, and developers—CO2Check functions as a tool to perform quick scenario calculations and support dialogue with clients. The calculator can provide an initial estimate, which can later be supplemented with more detailed LCA analyses. This ensures that projects remain within the new CO2 threshold values in construction from an early stage.

For both target groups, CO2Check creates transparency and makes it possible to compare traditional materials with CO2-negative alternatives—quickly, clearly, and with a strong focus on sustainability.