Knauf Insulation has officially opened a new EUR 15 million glass mineral wool recycling facility in Visé, Belgium, paving the way for a new recycling service for the construction and deconstruction industry.
The inauguration was attended by Olivier de Wasseige, Managing Director of the Walloon Enterprise Network (UWE), Belgium, who described the facility as a milestone towards establishing a true circular economy in the construction sector which is responsible for 35 percent of Europe’s waste.
Around 85,000 tonnes of glass mineral wool waste are generated every year in France, while in Belgium and the Netherlands the figure is around 30,000 tonnes with 26,000 tonnes of that total coming from demolition.
Zero waste to landfill by 2025
Rather than being landfilled or incinerated, the new facility will take back this waste and transform it into new glass mineral wool as part of Knauf Insulation’s new service known as RESULATION — which as the name suggests — celebrates a pioneering new approach to RECYCLING in the INSULATION industry.
In addition to this new service, RESULATION will also recycle production off-cuts from Knauf Insulation’s Visé Glass Mineral Wool site using a dedicated production line and furnace at the plant.
Dominique Bossan, Member of the Knauf Group Management Committee and head of Knauf Insulation Europe, Middle East and Asia, said, “The new facility is an important step towards achieving Knauf Insulation’s commitment to generate zero waste to landfill by 2025 as part of the company’s For A Better World sustainability strategy.
“However, as well as demonstrating how our company is walking the talk when it comes to delivering a circular economy, it also provides customers with an efficient, effective, one-stop alternative to landfill or incineration.
“That is good for business, good for our customers and great for the planet.”