The latest press releases

Model of the system build-up "Sponge City Roof"

Winner of GaLaBau Innovation Medal: The system build-up “Sponge City Roof” with the HydroSpacer® HS 170 combines a high level of water storage with a passive supply of water by capillary action.

In order for the water balance in built-up areas to closely resemble the balance in undeveloped areas, not only has stormwater to be retained but it must also evaporate again. This is where the HydroSpacer® HS 170 in the Zinco system build-up “Sponge City Roof” comes into play. It provides up to 160 l of storage space per square metre of roof area and subsequently supplies the stored water to the vegetation.

Award winners with GaLaBau Innovation medal

Proud award winners: Djordje Spremic and Ralf Walker of Zinco (1st and 3rd from right) are delighted to accept the GaLaBau Innovation Medal 2026.

The cities of the future are blue and green

GaLaBau 2026, the industry meeting point, stood for networking, experience and inspiration for all. Networking was also proved to be a success factor for the renowned green roof manufacturer, Zinco, who participated this year together with Elevate. The latter is a sister organisation within the Holcim Group and the provider of premium insulation solutions, specialising locally in waterproofing for ponds and water basins.

Three persons on a green roof

Ulrich Schäfer (ri.) and Dieter Schenk (le.) handing over Zinco to new Managing Director Djordje Spremic who has been in place since January 2026.

New Chapter begins for Zinco GmbH as Ulrich Schäfer and Dieter Schenk bid farewell

Ulrich Schäfer and Dieter Schenk stepped down as Managing Directors of Zinco GmbH on 30 June 2026 as part of the generational change at the company. Not only does this mark the end of a hugely successful era in the company’s history. The entire green roof sector is also saying goodbye to two people who have influenced the development of the market for decades.

EPD global

Zinco continues to stand out on the global stage as the only manufacturer that can provide EPDs for the majority of its green roof systems.

Zinco – only manufacturer worldwide with over 20 Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for green roof systems

Verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for construction materials are becoming enormously important as they comprise a transparent and reliable source of information for planners and decision makers. While the provision of this data by manufacturers is still voluntary, Zinco was already a pioneer on the green roof market with its first core EPD in 2020. Including the current verifications, EPDs are now available for over 20 system build-ups.

Vegetated barrel roof in the city

The spectacular St. Lawrence Market North in Toronto stands out with its impressive barrel roofs.

St. Lawrence Market district, which comprises the St. Lawrence Hall and the South and North Buildings, has been a historic landmark in Toronto for over 200 years. Integrated into this heritage-rich context, the new five-storey St. Lawrence Market North commands attention with its glass atrium and the striking greened barrel roofs, covering an area of 1,500 m². This extraordinary green roof sets a new benchmark for architecture and sustainability. Installing a green roof on a 45° pitched surface pushes the boundaries of sloped green roof construction.

On 1 January 2026, Djordje Spremic became Managing Director of the renowned green roof pioneers, Zinco GmbH in Nuertingen, Germany. As part of a generational change, he will assume the company’s strategic and operational management, initially in collaboration with Ulrich Schäfer and Dieter Schenk, the Managing Directors to date.

EPD Norway logo

Zinco provides project-specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and thereby discloses the environmental impact of their green roof systems.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for building materials are becoming increasingly important as they provide planners and decision-makers with a transparent and reliable source of information. For manufacturers, providing this data is still voluntary, but EU directives are expected to make it mandatory in the future. Zinco was a pioneer in the green roof market with its first core EPD back in 2020. With the latest 2025 verification, almost all products within the Zinco green roof systems are now included, enabling customers to access comprehensive EPDs including project-specific versions in a well-structured format.
Layer structure of the HydroSpacer

The “HydroSpacer HS 170” in the Zinco System Build-up “Sponge City Roof” can store up to 160 l/m² of water. Up to 11 l/m² of this can be provided to the plants each day.

For over ten years now, Zinco has been a pioneer of high-performance systems for the retention and evaporation of stormwater on roofs. Their latest innovation, the HydroSpacer, adds yet another dimension to the market. This allows Zinco to come closer to its goal of bringing the water balance of a developed area closer to that of an undeveloped area. Following a rainfall event, the HydroSpacer in the System Build-up “Sponge City Roof” can store up to 160 l of water per m² of roof area and can provide up to 11 l of water per m² daily to the plants – and this is done all by itself, thanks to the physical effect of capillarity.
Pitched green roof

The events hall of the LiUNA Local 183 building complex is literally encased in green areas.

The new LiUNA Local 183 union building in Vaughan

The new LiUNA Local 183 union building in Vaughan is the headquarters of the largest construction local union in North America and stands out as an architecturally distinctive structure. This striking complex is enveloped on all sides by approximately 11,700 m² of green roofs – an integral element of its LEED sustainability certification ambitions. The vegetated surfaces extend to roof slopes of up to 50°, making LiUNA the site of Ontario’s steepest sloped green roof.

Flowering plant bed and small tree in front of a building

The new childcare facility in Chladeniusstrasse in Grossenhain is very appealing with its special flowering green areas all around the building and on the roof.

Childcare Facility Grossenhain

Playing and learning in a friendly environment – that is precisely what the childcare facility in Grossenhain in Greater Dresden wants to offer in and with its new facility. The building provides the children and their childcare workers with lots of freedom, light and greenery. Even the extraordinary 880 m² roof is incorporated into the green area plan and is proving to be a blossoming eye-catcher for the entire neighbourhood.