Material. Use. Circularity.
Polycarbonate and Recycling at RODECA.
Polycarbonate is the key material used in our translucent building elements. In addition to its technical properties, we focus on how the material can be used for as long as possible, processed after dismantling and reused as a raw material for suitable new applications.
On this page, we present the materials, processes and specific approaches used at RODECA.
What is polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate (PC) is a thermoplastic material with high impact resistance and low weight. Due to its properties, it is used for applications including translucent building elements for façades and roofs. As a thermoplastic, polycarbonate can be used again as a raw material for suitable applications after appropriate sorting and processing.
Properties of polycarbonate
throughout its life cycle
Polycarbonate combines low weight with high impact resistance and durability, making it suitable for long-term use in roof and façade applications. Due to their design, multiwall building elements provide thermal insulation properties while also allowing daylight to enter the building.
After use, separately collected polycarbonate can be shredded and processed. Depending on the material quality and technical requirements, the resulting recycled material can be used again as a raw material for suitable applications.
Processing and reusing polycarbonate
From used building elements to processed raw material.
RODECA works with the recovery and processing of polycarbonate from various material streams. The aim is to process suitable material after use and make it available for further applications.
In-House Recycling:
Production waste, such as offcuts, can be processed directly on site and reintegrated into the production process.
Post-Industrial Recycling – PIP:
Suitable polycarbonate residues from a wide range of production processes can be collected separately and sent for processing. Depending on its properties, the resulting material can be used again as a raw material.
Post-Consumer Recycling – PCR:
Polycarbonate from products that have already been used can also be collected and processed after dismantling. Further utilisation depends on factors including material quality, sorting and the requirements of the intended new application.
Rethinking polycarbonate: Through processing, suitable material can be used again as a raw material after its initial use. RODECA develops solutions that enable processed polycarbonate to be used in new applications.
Recycling in focus
The responsible use and processing of polycarbonate are important topics for RODECA. Suitable polycarbonate building elements that have already been used can be taken back, processed and used as raw material for new applications. This allows existing material streams to be used again and can reduce the need for new raw materials.
The RODECA group of companies, which also includes Ansa Termoplastici, plays an important role in this process. Ansa specialises in processing plastics and producing granulates from recycled material. Close cooperation between the companies brings together material processing and product development and enables the use of In-House, Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer material in suitable RODECA products.
Conclusion
Using, processing and reusing polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate building elements combine low weight, thermal insulation properties and a wide range of design possibilities. After use, suitable polycarbonate that has been collected separately by material type can be processed and used as a raw material for new applications.
Within the RODECA group of companies, different material streams from In-House, Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer recycling are utilised. Suitable polycarbonate is collected, processed and prepared for further processing. The possible subsequent use depends on the material quality and the technical requirements of the respective application.
Questions and answers
about recycling
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are available for selected RODECA polycarbonate building elements. They provide quantified information on the environmental impacts of the respective product over defined life cycle stages. The available EPDs and further technical documents can be found in our download section.
Post-consumer recycled material refers to material from products that have already been used and can subsequently be sent for recycling. Suitable polycarbonate can be collected, sorted and processed after dismantling. Depending on its quality and the technical requirements, the resulting material can be used again as a raw material for suitable applications.
Whether a building element can be reused must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as the age and condition of the material, its previous use and the requirements of the new application all play a role. If direct reuse is not possible, suitable polycarbonate can be sent for processing.
Within the RODECA group of companies, different polycarbonate material streams are collected and processed. These include materials from In-House, Post-Industrial and Post-Consumer recycling. The possible subsequent use of the processed material depends on its quality and the technical requirements of the respective application.
Do you have questions about our recycling?
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Rodeca GmbH
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