Steps towards the circular economy of ETICS
22/06/2020
Article by Ms. Ralf Pasker (EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR EXTERNAL THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE SYSTEMS) included in EDI Special Publication 2020
The European Union has set the goal of developing the economy towards greater resource efficiency and sustainability, including the construction sector. For External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) different aspects come into view in order to optimize the situation.
An important aspect of resource efficiency is the life cycle of products. Long-term investigations by the
Fraunhofer Institute have proven that ETICS can be used for several decades without losing function if installed properly and maintained frequently. Typically, ETICS need no replacement after a defined period. More often the thermal resistance is improved by applying a second ETICS layer on top at a moment when an existing façade requires maintenance (e. g. new paint).
However, at the latest when a building is going to be demolished or significantly modified, dismantling and recycling of ETICS and its components becomes relevant.
The European Association for ETICS (EAE) and its members started already in 2012 thinking about how to improve the end-of-life. Different solutions were tested during a research project together with Research institutes FIW Munich and Fraunhofer IBP to find out how to dismantle the different layers of an ETICS.
It turned out that separation of materials on site is possible as the reinforcement mesh of the render system allows “stripping” of the render system from the surface of insulation boards. The glass fibre reinforcement can easily be separated from the render fractions.
The insulation boards can be removed from the wall structure mechanically afterwards. Nevertheless,
today next projects evaluate different methods of separating the waste fractions e. g. by mechanical or
wind sifting facilities off-site.
Special attention is paid to the material’s ingredients. ETICS do not include hazardous substances. But due to constantly increasing environmental regulation, more and more construction products are classified. Few older insulation materials require special treatment. EPS insulation boards produced before 2016 contain HBCD flame retardants.
The products as such and their handling on site do not cause any risks as the substance is incorporated in the foam structure. But as HBCD must no longer be used in new or recycled materials, such insulation boards have to be identified.
Their waste streams have to be separated and require documentation. EPS waste containing HBCD is today used in waste incineration facilities, producing energy or heat while destroying HBCD.
To allow upcycling in the future, the value chain started a joint European project to build a demonstration plant. In this plant the CreaSolv® process will be used to separate polystyrene from flame retardants.
This will allow producing new insulation boards from recycled material. The plant will also be able to recycle XPS insulation.
Old mineral wool boards installed decades ago may be put and handled in bags as small fibres are respirable. Newer polystyrene and mineral wool insulation do not require special treatment.
In parallel to building the EPS recycling plant (“PolyStyrene Loop” project) in Terneuzen/
Netherlands, all processes along the value chain are going to be optimized, e. g. removal technologies,
compacting of boards to minimize transport volumes, sifting methods. The findings of the PolyStyrene project will deliver valuable input for next steps.
The EAE will enlarge the scope of activities to ETICS with different insulation systems and finishes. Once the number of insulated buildings reaching their end of life, guidance and specific solutions will be available.
This is how the ETICS sector is aiming to contribute to the circular economy and to take responsibility for the entire life-cycle of our products.
