Inside Vandersanden’s Pirrouet®: How Innovation Is Redefining Sustainable Brick Production

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When you work at the intersection of sustainability and construction, you are used to hearing big claims. But every now and then, you see something that cuts through the noise. Something that is not just new, it is necessary.

That is exactly what I experienced during my recent trip to Brussels, getting an inside look at Vandersanden’s Pirrouet® range, from full bricks to their slip system and the pioneering work behind them.

Here is what I discovered on a couple of days packed with innovation, craftsmanship, and forward thinking.

Living Tomorrow: Experiencing Pirrouet® Prisma in Action

The first stop was Living Tomorrow, the innovation campus where new ideas are not just discussed, they are built.

Pirrouet® Prisma was on full display here, and it was impressive. Prisma combines sustainability, circularity, and visual brilliance, delivering a dynamic facade that subtly changes appearance with the light. It proves that future-facing materials can still deliver a strong design statement without compromising on responsibility.

What struck me most was that this was not about gimmicks. It was about serious performance, seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the building.

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Live Residential Project: Traditional Character, Modern Benefits

Next, I visited a live residential project using Pirrouet® products and any scepticism about whether these bricks could match the beauty of traditional masonry was quickly put to rest.

The facade looked great. It had all the depth, richness, and authenticity you would expect from a traditional brick construction. Yet behind the scenes, it delivered massive advantages: lighter construction, faster installation, and a lower environmental footprint.

This was not theory. This was real-world application and it was standing up to the challenge beautifully.

Factory Visits: Full Bricks, Brick Slips and Wind Power

From there, it was time to get closer to the heart of the process. I visited both the Pirrouet® brick and the Pirrouet® slip factories and this is where Vandersanden’s commitment to innovation and sustainability really came alive.

The production facilities were incredibly impressive, both in terms of technology and ethos. A huge wind turbine provides the majority of the factories' energy needs, dramatically reducing carbon emissions compared to conventional manufacturing.

Seeing both full bricks and slips being produced was a powerful reminder that Vandersanden are not just innovating around the edges. They are rethinking the whole journey, from raw material to finished facade.

Innovation Centre: Engineering the Future

After the factory visits, I had the chance to explore Vandersanden’s Innovation Centre and it was genuinely fascinating.

This was not a glossy showroom. It was a working hub where ideas are tested, stressed, and refined for real-world use.From new brick compositions to advanced installation techniques, the centre was full of exciting developments that could shape the future of construction for years to come.

There was a clear focus on circularity, reducing embodied carbon, and improving installation efficiencies without sacrificing craftsmanship or beauty.

It was a glimpse of a future that feels ambitious but grounded and much closer than many people realise.

Robobrick®: Automation Driving Sustainability

Finally, I saw Robobrick® in action, this is Vandersanden’s cutting-edge solution for automating brick slip bonding.

Robobrick® glues bricks and slips to various substrates, optimising production for speed, precision, and sustainability. It can reduce raw material and energy use by up to 60 percent, delivering faster lead times and consistent quality without relying on traditional, labour-intensive methods.

Importantly, Robobrick® is not just about efficiency. It is about responding to real industry pressures: tight production capacity, skills shortages, and the drive for more sustainable construction practices.

It is automation with purpose — and it is only just getting started.

Reflections: A Balanced, Cautious Optimism

There is no doubt that what Vandersanden are doing with Pirrouet® is impressive.

Seeing full bricks, slips, live projects, automated systems, and low-carbon production in action gave a real sense that this is more than just a clever product launch. It is part of a deeper strategy to lead the market into a more sustainable, circular future without losing sight of beauty, quality, and practicality.

Of course, as with any innovation, the ultimate test will be long-term performance at scale. Materials need to stand the test of time, and systems need to adapt to the realities of the construction site.

But based on what I saw in Brussels, Vandersanden are putting all the right pieces in place and backing up their ambition with serious action.

Pirrouet® is not just another brick. It is a blueprint for a smarter, greener construction industry.

And it is an exciting thing to see unfold.

If you are serious about driving sustainability without compromising aesthetics or performance, Pirrouet® is one to keep firmly on your radar.