Eurocell can now recycle the offcuts of Cavalok Cavity Closers it receives from fabricators after investing in new machinery and skills.
The new process, which is part of Eurocell’s strategy to increase the proportion of recycled PVC-U in its products to 40% by 2030, is one of the first of its kind to be introduced for cavity closers by a systems house in the UK.
The new capability means Eurocell can now remove the expanded polystyrene (EPS) core from the Cavalok Cavity Closer offcut, leaving the remaining PVC-U to be recycled for the design and manufacture of its future window and door products. The EPS is then delivered to Eurocell’s partners to be recycled.
The machinery and team to undertake the process has been put in place at Eurocell’s recycling plant in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and will support all its fabricator partners who manufacture the closers and have their own sustainability and waste management targets to meet.
Eurocell’s Cavalok Cavity Closers enable brick courses to be completed and create an air-tight receiver for windows and doors. Meaning no matter the size or make-up of a wall, installers can quickly and cost-effectively close the cavity at window and door openings – instantly increasing a property’s thermal efficiency and reducing its energy bills. The closers also meet Accredited Construction Details regulations and are compliant with Part L of Building Regulations.
Sandra Gaspar, Head of Recycling at Eurocell, says the new initiative is part of its ongoing recycling strategy, she said, “We are continually reviewing all our processes across our PVC-U product range and recycling to ensure we can return as much PVC-U to the industry as possible.”
“Our Cavalok Cavity Closers have an EPS core, so we needed this specalised process, skills and capability in place to ensure it can be separated from the PVC-U in the offcuts – so that we can then use the PVC-U in the design and manufacture of future products.”
“It means all our fabricator partners who use our Cavalok Cavity Closers can now take advantage and support their own sustainability and waste management goals too, by working with us to ensure their offcuts are recycled.”
Eurocell facilitates efficient PVC-U recycling for installers and fabricators through its closed-loop recycling system. By offering reliable and timely collections from any UK site, Eurocell ensures that PVC-U waste is managed responsibly. The service includes all aspects of waste management, from collection and transport to documentation, with waste transfer notes provided to demonstrate responsible handling
At present, Eurocell operates the largest PVC-U recycling operation in the UK and it achieved 32% recycled PVC-U in extrusion in 2023, up from 27% in 2021.
Eurocell is attending this year’s Resource & Waste Management Expo (RWM) and has a significant space at the show, located on stand RS-F82 opposite the Circular Economy & Sustainable Theatre. Here it will demonstrate to visitors its closed-loop recycling system and showcase the substantial progress it has made in using recycled materials in the design and manufacture of its PVC-U building products.
If you need more information or would like to get in touch with Eurocell to ensure Cavakok offcuts are recycled, please contact: recycle@eurocell-recycle.co.uk.
Eurocell sets benchmark for Recycled PVC-U in Extrusion
Eurocell, which operates the largest PVC-U recycling operation in the UK, achieved 32% recycled PVC-U in extrusion in 2023, up from 27% in 2021 – setting a new bar for recycled materials in the design and manufacture of its PVC-U windows and doors.
Eurocell’s dedication to sustainability is demonstrated through its innovative manufacturing processes, where its profiles division blends raw PVC resin with recycled materials sourced from the company’s cutting-edge recycling plants located in Selby, North Yorkshire, and Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
These facilities are pivotal in transforming factory offcuts and old window frames, which would likely end up in landfill, into reusable raw materials. In 2023 alone, Eurocell’s recycling operations saved the equivalent of approximately 3 million window frames from landfill. The business operates a closed-loop recycling system to ensure that waste PVC-U can be reused, significantly reducing environmental impact.
Sandra Gaspar, Head of Recycling at Eurocell, commented, “The increase to 32% in the proportion of recycled materials in our extrusion process, is a testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainability and demonstrates how we are leading the way in PVC-U recycling.”
“By integrating more recycled content into our products, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also provide our customers with high-quality, sustainable building solutions. We are helping the industry reduce waste and lower its carbon footprint, which is what we want our forward strategy to help deliver as we look to make further inroads in our recycling operation.”
Looking ahead, Eurocell has set an ambitious target to increase the proportion of recycled PVC-U in its products to 40% by 2030. The company’s recycling initiatives also extend beyond its own operations and they are actively working with third-party sites to optimise material recovery and reduce waste, aiming to increase the percentage of waste recycled to 88% by 2025 and to 93% by 2030.
Eurocell facilitates efficient PVC-U recycling for installers and fabricators through its closed-loop recycling system. By offering reliable and timely collections from any UK site, Eurocell ensures that PVC-U waste is managed responsibly. The service includes all aspects of waste management, from collection and transport to documentation, with waste transfer notes provided to demonstrate responsible handling – a testament to why the home improvement specialist won ‘Best PVC-U Manufacturer & Recycler 2023 – UK’ at the Design and Build Awards 2023.
With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, Eurocell is leading the way in PVC-U recycling within the industry, providing sustainable, low-carbon products, to meet the growing demand for sustainable building products.
Visit: www.eurocell.co.uk