Verification and development of method for recycling glass wool from production waste and demolition

Purpose and goal:

Glass wool is mainly used as insulation in buildings. No glass wool is recycled in Sweden today, approx. 200,000 m3 are deposited annually. Interest in circulating glass wool has now increased, companies have begun to value circular economy highly.

The purpose of the project is to scientifically demonstrate that pre- and post-consumer glass wool can be recycled, both on a lab and pilot scale, and used for new glass products. The project´s objective is to provide business and decision-makers with the conditions to build circular production chains for glass wool.

Expected results and effects:

The result of the project is expected to show a method to remove binders from the glass wool in an energy-efficient way and to remelt the fiber of glass to produce new glass wool and also designed glass products. Since the project group consists of RISE, Glava, Norsk Gjenvinning, Climate Recovery, Statens Fastighetsverk, Södra Smålands Avfall- and Miljö as well as Orrefors Kosta Boda and IKEA, the results are expected to be spread and the effect will be that many will become aware that both pre-consumer and post-consumer glass wool can be used as a high-quality secondary glass raw material.

Approach and implementation:

The project has five work packages that have certain deliverables to be achieved. The work packages are Project management and dissemination of results, Method for recycling pre-consumer glass wool, Method for recycling post-consumer glass wool, Handling of glass wool at recycling stations and during demolitions as well as logistics, Manufacturing of glass demonstrators.