Glass recycling agreement: (l-r) John Sinfield, Knauf Insulation Northern Europe managing director, with Estelle Brachlianoff, senior executive vice-president Veolia UK
Veolia has secured a take-off contract with Knauf Insulation for the supply of recycled glass cullet from a refining and drying plant to be developed at St Helens, Merseyside.
Due for completion by the end of 2017, Veolia’s £10 million development also secures an outlet for glass from its materials recycling facilities (MRFs) on Merseyside and elsewhere.
The companies today (27 March) described the agreement between themselves as one where Knauf will “support” the new facility. Funding could include an element of the packaging waste recovery note income (PRN), which will be generated from the use of the glass.
The new plant will boost the amount of recycled glass used by Knauf which also takes in material from other recycling businesses.
Spinning
The new facility will be built alongside the existing Knauf Insulation plant and use the Veolia-sourced glass cullet to produce mineral wool insulation through a melting and spinning process.
Glass will be processed by Veolia to ‘furnace-ready’ quality, the companies said. And, in a statement, they added: “This will provide Knauf Insulation with a stable supply of high quality recycled glass from packaging, which is a key raw material used to manufacture energy saving insulation products. This end-to-end process supports the strategies of both companies in regards to sustainability, recycling and preserving scarce raw materials.”
Estelle Brachlianoff, senior executive vice-president at Veolia UK, said: “This venture with Knauf Insulation provides a closed loop solution for glass packaging from our material recovery facilities. This will save raw materials, lessen energy demand, cut CO2 emissions and reduce the amount of materials going to landfill. It is set to be the first of its kind in the UK and represents a significant investment in circular thinking, new technology and jobs and will ensure we keep the highest quality of glass in circulation.”
An aerial view of the Knauf Insulation plant at St Helens
Shortage
John Sinfield, managing director at Knauf Insulation Northern Europe, adds: “Given recent shortages impacting the construction sector, our customers can be reassured that we are working proactively upstream to further enhance the security of our supply. The construction of the new facility should also help grow the local economy through the creation of new jobs and the use of local firms to carry out the relevant construction work”.
And, the project has won support from the chair of the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority – which has MRFs run by Veolia at Bidston and Gillmoss – partly because of the 18 permanent jobs that will be created.
Circular
Cllr Graham Morgan, chair of the MRWA, said: “The authority is always working with its contractors to promote the circular economy in relation to the reuse and recycling of raw materials, and this new facility is an excellent example of local solutions that can reduce costs and the impact on the environment. We’re also pleased that Veolia’s investment has created 18 direct local jobs at the facility, and many more along the supply chain in the area.”
Related links
Knauf Insulation
Veolia
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Source: letsrecycle.com Packaging
