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EPS Recycling from ETICS Deconstruction

In 2014 the Sunpor GmbH, Austria contracted the Fraunhofer IVV to apply the CreaSolv® Process to External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) from EPS construction waste, in order to test its effectiveness. Sunpor produces approximately 230.000 tons EPS annually and is the third largest producer in Europe.

In regard to the expected ban of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) - the established flame retardant for EPS insulation panels – the manufacturers of flame retardants of course developed a new polymeric alternative to be used in new EPS insulation panels effective 2014/2015. But all EPS insulation systems applied until 2015 will have to be classified and treated as “dangerous waste” when being deconstructed in future and so the industry is confronted with the question of how to deal with it going ahead1).

During the test mechanically recycled 100% EPS construction waste was used that contained up to 1,5 weigth % HBCDD to be converted with the CreaSolv® Process into polystyrene granulates that finally showed a HBCDD content of below 100 ppm. This polystyrene was than processed by Sunpor to new Lambdapor® EPS that was manufactured to insulation panels with a quality equal to virgin material.

2014 Sunpor Isoplatten-k

The test demonstrated that the HBCDD separation efficiency of the CreaSolv® Process is greater than 99,7 %. In a bromine recovery unit, as for example from ICL-IP in Terneuzen (The Netherlands), it is possible to realize an HBCDD decomposition of above 99,999 % of the separated HBCDD and meeting the POP Guidelines of the Basel Convention.

Based on this test and the positive result, the PS Loop CreaSolv® Recycling plant for EPS insulation board waste from construction was built in Terneuzen (NL), which is still supported by Sunpor today.

Lambdapor® is a registered trademark of Sunpor GmbH

Literature

  1. A. Mäurer, M.Schlummer: "Recyclingfähigkeit von Wärmedämmverbundsystemen mit Styropor", 19.06.2014 - Link