Panel manufacturers hit back at recycling claims

14 Nov 2007 By James Stagg
Insulated panel manufacturers have hit back at accusations that there are insufficient facilities available for the recycling of panels containing a blown insulation core.
The claims surfaced after a contractor in Scotland was found to be crushing panels alongside other demolition waste (CJ 31 October), apparently unaware of the ozone-depleting potential of panels containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
Since 2004, all insulated panels have been manufactured without any ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs or HCFCs, and are classified as non-hazardous. But panels containing blown insulation manufactured before 2004 are likely to contain ODS and must be sent for treatment at refrigerator recycling plants.



In a statement, Kingspan said the panels remain some of the most thermally efficient solutions available and that HCFCs were used as a transition material because of their lower ozone depletion potential.
It continued: “There are currently only very small quantities of ODS containing panels entering the waste stream. However, as we reach the end of the next decade this will have changed and we need responsible solutions to the end-of-life disposal of these panels.”
A spokeswoman told CJ the company was actively seeking solutions to blown core panel disposal to cope with anticipated demand in the years to come.
She added: “Kingspan takes the issue of end-of-life very seriously and has been working with industry experts in waste management and disposal for over two years, including extensive research into the disposal of older insulated panels through the use of existing refrigerator recycling plants, which is our recommended method of disposal where viable.”
The company says it has successfully re-processed panels taken from four separate sites this year, including one project of over 7000m² of CFC-containing roof panels.