Recticel Group announces the opening of its new industrial-scale recycled polyol plant in Wevelgem (Belgium). This milestone marks a significant step in the Group’s sustainability roadmap and a decisive move toward circularity in the insulation boards, manufactured by Recticel Insulation.

Engineering PIR circularity

The newly commissioned facility has been developed as part of Recticel Group’s broader strategy, whereby post-industrial PIR (polyisocyanurate) waste is converted into high-quality recycled polyol.

Recticel Group is the first PIR producer to invest in a recycled polyol reactor at this industrial scale. In a closed-loop recycling process the PIR offcuts and production trimmings are converted into reusable raw material for the manufacturing of new insulation boards.

This innovative approach helps reduce waste, lowers dependence on virgin raw materials, and significantly decreases greenhouse gas emissions, further supporting more sustainable construction solutions.

Combining industrial performance with lower emissions

Designed for continuous industrial operation, the plant will initially recycle up to 4,000 tonnes of PIR waste annually, producing approximately 6,000 tonnes of recycled polyol. This scale allows to replace up to one-third of the virgin polyol in the PIR insulation boards with recycled content, while maintaining the same high product performance standards customers expect.

The recycled polyol produced is expected to deliver approximately 40% lower carbon emissions compared to virgin polyol.

Building the foundation for future circular projects

Beyond recycling its own PIR waste streams, the plant lays the groundwork for future circular economy initiatives across the insulation value chain, including:

• Increasing recycled content across the product portfolio; 
• Exploring potential take-back programs; 
• Further reducing waste throughout production and distribution processes.

“Circularity is not a slogan for us, it is a design principle,” says Ward Dhaese, Innovation Manager at Recticel Insulation. “With advanced technology we demonstrate how high-performance insulation materials can be engineered for multiple lifecycles, moving our industry away from linear production models.”

Find out more about sustainability and circularity at Recticel Insulation.