Kaufland Romania has obtained the BREEAM In-Use V6 certification with an Excellent rating for its store located in the Gheorgheni neighborhood of Cluj-Napoca.

This international certification recognizes the ecological performance of commercial buildings and attests to the sustainable design, construction, and long-term performance of Kaufland's store, surpassing the requirements imposed by applicable legislation and adhering to the highest quality standards.

With a score of 74.5%, the Kaufland store received an Excellent rating within the BREEAM In-Use standard, thanks to the implementation of sustainable solutions such as electric vehicle charging stations, a green roof, bicycle storage spaces, a self-service recycling machine for three types of packaging (PET bottles, glass, and aluminum cans), a system for recycling packaging from personal care or cleaning products, which are then taken by recyclers.

Moreover, the store features efficient air conditioning systems that recover heat from refrigeration systems, contributing to natural resource conservation. It also utilizes LED-based interior and exterior lighting, equipment to optimize water consumption (such as sensor-activated sink faucets and low-flow toilets), and a Building Management System (BMS) that manages and monitors all building systems.

Through these measures, Kaufland's store aligns with the company's business strategy for sustainable practices, innovation, and progress, demonstrating a reduced environmental impact and a lower carbon footprint.

"At Kaufland, sustainable development is our priority, and our goal is to integrate environmentally friendly technologies in the construction of new stores, utilize waste generated during the construction process, minimize the impact of construction sites on the environment, and build sustainable stores with minimal energy consumption," said Andreea Cioromela, a member of the executive committee with responsibilities in the real estate sector, administrator, and deputy general manager of Kaufland Romania.

Located at 59 Alexandru Vaida Voievod Street, the Kaufland store was inaugurated in 2017 and has a total built area of over 6,500 square meters. It also features an underground parking facility and is the first Kaufland store situated within a residential complex.

The evaluation criteria underlying the BREEAM In-Use standard encompass aspects such as property management, energy and water consumption, construction materials, lighting and indoor air quality, innovation capacity, transportation, pollution levels, waste management, ecological impact, and improvement of users' quality of life within the buildings.