European Window Maker Invests in PVC Recycling

Belgium-based window manufacturing firm Deceuninck has acquired PVC recycling equipment from the Belgian firm Verpola that it says will allow it to become the largest PVC recycling company in the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) nations.

 

In a news release, Deceuninck says the recycling line will be integrated into its existing raw material production unit in Diksmuide, Belgium. The cost of the equipment is estimated to be around €3 million ($3.9 million). The equipment is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2012, with full-scale operation taking place by the end of 2012. Deceuninck says it expects the new equipment to boost the company’s recycling capacity to 20,000 metric tons per year.

 

In the first stage of the recycling project, the company will regrind off-cuts generated in its window manufacturing process. By the end of 2012 the company also expects to shred and recycle end-of-life windows from renovation and demolition projects.

 

Through the processes, the company says it will obtain rigid PVC regrind, which will be used to make window and building profiles. The company says it plans on using all the regrind material internally.

 

 “At Deceuninck, we believe in building a sustainable home,” says Tom Debusschere, CEO of the company. “We create sustainable building products with superior insulation at the lowest possible material consumption, throughout more than a 50-year life cycle. At end of life, our products will be recycled into new raw material.”

 

Deceuninck operates shredders to handle extrusion scrap at all nine of its extrusion plants worldwide. In Belgium, the company plans on consolidating all of its recycling activities in that nation at its Diksmuide facility.