Content background
Insulation materials for buildings can be made from a wide variety of materials. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) are frequently used today. Like other thermoplastics, these materials are theoretically easy to recycle. In addition, according to several studies, the amount of post-consumer insulation materials will increase significantly in the future. The potential to recycle these materials is therefore great. However, there are still some challenges at present. realcycle GmbH is now supporting the EPS Association in its efforts to make recycling possible.
A major problem in closing the cycle is the flame retardant HBCD, which was used before 2015 and is now banned. Recycling "old" EPS and XPS insulation materials without removing the HBCD is therefore not permitted and the dismantled EPS and XPS insulation boards must currently be thermally recycled in Switzerland. Alporit AG (a member of the EPS Association and the swisspor Group) has now developed a process that ensures the neutralization of HBCD during the recycling of post-consumer EPS and XPS insulation materials. This takes place in a mechanical-thermal process that can be integrated into the conventional recycling process.
Our mission
To ensure that this process becomes the recognized state of the art and can be officially used for recycling, we are working for and with the EPS Association on the following components:
- Development of a measurement concept for the initial proof that the HBCD is reliably neutralized with the process and that the secondary raw material is considered HBCD-free
- Identification of potential, unwanted degradation products and possible impurities so that these can be taken into account in the process
- Development of a concept for long-term quality assurance with regard to ensuring the cleaning efficiency of the neutralization process
For this assignment, we work closely with Alporit AG and coordinate with the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) as the responsible authority.
Contact person
Dr. Maja Wiprächtiger(maja.wipraechtiger@realcycle.ch, +41 44 537 82 81)