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Thermal Insulators recycling – Sectors, process, technical-economic assessment

Summary

Most of the materials used in construction and public works come from non-renewable resources. In terms of circularity, waste from the building and public works sector therefore represents a major challenge, given the large quantities involved and the fact that it is non-renewable. This is particularly true of non-hazardous waste, which includes thermal insulation. The aim of this study is to carry out a comprehensive review of existing and emerging sectors, and to analyse their economic viability. It is based partly on bibliographical research and partly on interviews with players in the sector.

The first chapter looks at the characterisation of thermal insulation from a physico-chemical, technical, regulatory and economic point of view (current market and future waste) and approaches the general considerations relating to end-of-life channels (organisation, composition, collection, etc.). The second chapter reviews the state of the art in recovery techniques, specifying the degree of progress and the organisation of the channels by type of insulation.

The rest of the work is forward-looking, focusing on the development of existing and established sectors, as well as on a few sectors with interesting development potential. The analysis of the sectors includes a detailed description of the value chains using overviews. The focus on emerging sectors offers an assessment of their technical and economic viability, with the aim of encouraging their development.

Keywords: déchet, isolants thermiques, déconstruction, environnement, fin de vie, valorisation, recyclage, réemploi cycle de vie, laine de verre, laine de roche, laine de laitier, verre cellulaire, polystyrène expansé, PSE, polystyrène extrudé, XPS, polyuréthane, PUR, PIR, laine de chanvre, laine de bois, laine de mouton, ouate de cellulose, textile recyclé, waste, thermal insulation, dismantling, environment, end-of-life, valorisation, recycling, reuse, life cycle, glass wool, rock wool, slag wool, cellular glass, expanded polystyrene, EPS, extruded polystyrene, XPS, polyurethane, PUR, PIR, hemp wool, wood wool, sheep wool, cellulose wadding, recycled textiles
/en/resources/240-thermal-insulators-recycling.htm

Publication date: May 2022

Achievement: RECOVERING SARL, TRIDENT SERVICE

Reference: RECORD, Recyclage des isolants thermiques minéraux et organiques - Filières, procédés, évaluation technico-économique, 2022, 115 p, n°20‑0921/1A


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