A CIRCULAR FUTURE IN FRAME
ONEFRAME & MCKECHNIE ALUMINIUM UNITE FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
In a time when traceability, sustainable sourcing, and environmental accountability are fast becoming industry standards, OneFrame is proud to formalise a strengthened partnership with McKechnie Aluminium — New Zealand’s only aluminium extruder with independently verified recycled content claims. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in OneFrame’s mission to embed circular design and responsible manufacturing at the core of its operations, aligning closely with the ethos of our Second Thread™ program.
THE BACKBONE OF INNOVATION: CUSTOM EXTRUSIONS FOR ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS
At the centre of this partnership is a powerful technical alignment. McKechnie Aluminium now extrudes the majority of OneFrame’s patented aluminium die designs, which underpin many of our architectural fabric tension systems across the wider range.
These systems require precision-engineered, modular framing profiles designed for functional performance, reuse, and visual impact. For OneFrame, selecting a local partner with the ability to meet tight tolerances, support small-to-medium run manufacturing, and prioritise sustainability was critical, and McKechnie Aluminium delivers on all fronts.
A SHARED SUSTAINABILITY ETHOS
McKechnie operates the only on-site aluminium re-melt facility of its kind in New Zealand, allowing for a closed-loop system where all internal production scrap is recovered and reprocessed. While New Zealand lacks the infrastructure to process post-consumer scrap at scale, McKechnie’s circular approach to remelting in-house waste sets a regional benchmark.
Currently, McKechnie Aluminium achieves an average of 50% recycled content across all production, based on billet mixes including both remelt and primary input. With Toitū carbonreduce and Toitū enviromark diamond certifications (audited annually), the operation is among the most transparent and accountable in the region. Though we do not yet have an EPD, this is actively in development.
TOWARDS TRACEABILITY & CARBON ACCOUNTABILITY
Today, full traceability of specific billet inputs is not yet available. However, with plans underway to verify logs processed through McKechnie’s remelt facility, this will soon change. Once implemented, this will allow OneFrame to provide greater transparency for clients working toward Green Star, Homestar, or Living Building Challenge targets and contribute to meaningful reductions in Scope 3 emissions.
The local nature of this partnership also drastically reduces transport emissions versus offshore sourcing, further enhancing our low-carbon credentials.
SCALING CIRCULARITY: WHAT'S NEXT?
While 50% recycled content is a strong baseline, both organisations are committed to pushing further. As local remelt infrastructure and sorting capabilities improve, the goal is to exceed 75% recycled content, with a long-term vision of achieving closed-loop aluminium production.
As part of the Second Thread, OneFrame is also facilitating a "Back to Base" model for aluminium, mirroring Second Thread’s approach to fabric recycling. This would enable aluminium frames from decommissioned projects to be returned, stripped, sorted, and reintroduced into McKechnie’s remelt process — creating a true circular lifecycle for our products.
THIS ISN’T JUST EXTRUSION - IT’S EVOLUTION
Together, OneFrame and McKechnie Aluminium are proving that with aligned values, local collaboration, and shared commitment, circular design in architectural systems is not only possible — it’s already underway.
