The facility, inaugurated by Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia, is designed to process up to 40,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap per year.

At the centre of the plant is an automated sorting system using laser-based LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) technology. The system can analyse up to 150 pieces of scrap per second, identifying alloying elements including silicon, copper, iron and magnesium. Following analysis, air pulses separate the scrap into specific material fractions, while a scrap press compacts the sorted material into transportable bales.

According to TRIMET, bringing these processing steps in-house allows the company to sort recycled aluminium more precisely according to alloy composition. The material can then be directed more specifically toward different applications and production processes.

The Hamm facility is also intended to support the integration of recycled raw materials into the production planning of TRIMET’s aluminium smelters, foundries and recycling operations. The company says the new plant will strengthen its raw-material base while supporting the supply of aluminium products with higher levels of recycled content and reducing reliance on primary raw materials.

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The methodology recognises cullet as a critical component of glass manufacturing. Increasing recycled glass content reduces the need for virgin raw materials, lowers furnace energy requirements and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Developed with Glass for Europe members and industry experts, the methodology is based on existing European and international standards, while accounting for the specific material flows and production boundaries of flat glass manufacturing. It distinguishes between pre-consumer and post-consumer cullet and establishes common principles for identifying relevant input streams and determining the recycled proportion of the finished glass.

The framework also provides guidance for production situations where individual material flows cannot be directly measured or physically segregated. This is intended to ensure that recycled-content calculations remain consistent across different manufacturing configurations.

The same principles can be applied to determine post-consumer recycled content and, where applicable, the recycled content of processed glass products by considering the recycled content of their individual components.

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Aluminium scrap plays a critical role in supplying key sectors including defence, clean energy, digital technologies, and automotive manufacturing. However, growing volumes of exported scrap are creating concerns over the long-term availability of recycled aluminium for UK industry.

Make UK reports that aluminium scrap exports have increased by 84% over the past decade, reducing the material available for domestic processing and threatening future industrial resilience. In 2024–25, exports to the United States rose dramatically after aluminium scrap was excluded from Section 232 tariff measures, increasing from 2,000 tonnes to 24,000 tonnes, a 990% surge. During the same period, approximately 200,000 tonnes were exported to India, while a further 173,500 tonnes were shipped to Hong Kong and China.

According to Make UK, domestic industry could require up to 6 million tonnes of recyclable aluminium scrap to support an overall aluminium demand of 8 million tonnes by 2035, as outlined in the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy and Modern Industrial Strategy.

Daniel Paterson, Director of Sector Specialisms at Make UK, warned that continued growth in scrap exports could force manufacturers to relocate production closer to scrap sources in the UK and EU, resulting in lost investment, jobs, and supply chain resilience.

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Aluminium has become one of the most important materials within this transition. Thanks to its unique properties, aluminium can be recycled repeatedly without any loss of performance or quality. Industry estimates suggest that approximately 75% of all aluminium ever produced remains in use today, highlighting its long-term value within a circular economy.

Aluprof has integrated urban mining principles into its production strategy by increasing the use of recycled aluminium in the manufacture of architectural systems. The company’s parent organisation, Grupa Kęty, operates one of Poland’s largest and most advanced aluminium recycling facilities. In 2025 alone, the foundry remelted 36,629 tonnes of aluminium scrap, transforming post-consumer and pre-consumer waste into high-quality billets used for modern window, door, façade and sun-shading systems.

The environmental benefits are significant. Producing secondary aluminium requires only around 5% of the energy needed for primary aluminium production, while reducing water consumption by 95% and cutting dust and gaseous emissions by approximately 90%. These efficiencies not only lower environmental impact but also improve cost competitiveness across the supply chain.

To meet growing demand for low-carbon building materials, Aluprof has developed specialised aluminium profile ranges with a high recycled content. Its Ultra Low Carbon billets achieve emissions of just 1.24 kg CO₂e per kilogram and contain 85% post-consumer recycled aluminium. The company’s Low Carbon variant delivers emissions of 2.9 kg CO₂e per kilogram, well below the European average of 6.6 kg CO₂e, while incorporating 65% recycled content.

Urban mining is also influencing architectural design. A notable example is the new façade planned for Aluprof’s headquarters in Bielsko-Biała, designed by architect Przemo Łukasik of Medusa Group. The project will utilise aluminium profiles recovered from production surpluses, demonstrating how recycled materials can serve as both functional building components and visible symbols of responsible construction.

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The association argues that the revision risks weakening the EU’s circular economy ambitions at a time when policymakers are seeking to expand domestic clean industrial capacity and secure strategic raw materials. It is calling on the Commission and Member States to exclude aluminium recycling and alumina refining from the planned reduction in heat and fuel fall-back benchmarks, and instead maintain 2021–2025 benchmark levels until sector-specific benchmarks are developed for the post-2030 phase.

Under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), benchmarks determine the level of free emissions allowances allocated to energy-intensive industries during decarbonisation. However, aluminium recycling and alumina refining are currently assessed using generic heat and fuel fall-back benchmarks rather than dedicated product benchmarks, which the industry says fails to reflect operational realities.

According to European Aluminium, the updated framework effectively represents up to a 50% reduction compared with Phase 3 benchmark levels, significantly increasing compliance costs for recyclers and refiners. These installations require continuous high-temperature processes, while options such as large-scale electrification or alternative fuels like biomass remain technically limited or commercially unviable.

The association also stresses the environmental efficiency of recycling, noting that secondary aluminium production uses around 95% less energy than primary aluminium production, making it one of the most effective decarbonisation pathways in European industry.

Director General Paul Voss said the revised approach risks becoming “all stick and no carrot,” warning that misaligned benchmarks could increase production costs in a globally priced aluminium market where costs cannot easily be passed on. This could lead to carbon leakage, reduced investment in Europe, and increased imports.

European Aluminium further highlights strategic risks linked to alumina refining, which enables the recovery of gallium, a critical mineral for semiconductors, defence systems, and advanced technologies, warning that weaker economics could threaten EU supply security.

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Under the agreement, significant volumes of post-consumer aluminium collected at Infinitum’s facilities are transported annually to Novelis’ recycling plant in Latchford, United Kingdom. There, the material is processed and remelted into new beverage cans, forming a closed-loop system that exemplifies a practical circular economy in action.

Alexandre Gellert, Vice President of Metal Procurement for Novelis Europe, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, noting that securing a consistent stream of recycled aluminium supports the company’s Vision 3×30 targets. By integrating post-consumer scrap into its production system, Novelis can significantly increase recycled content while lowering CO₂ emissions.

Infinitum CEO Kjell Olav A. Maldum emphasised the operational benefits of the partnership, including full transparency on material volumes, quality, and lead times. This ensures a stable, cost-efficient recycling system capable of delivering predictable, low-carbon results.

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The move addresses a long-standing operational gap within the trade. While PVC-U is fully recyclable and can last up to 350 years, practical disposal solutions have historically been limited. Installers working on smaller sites have faced logistical challenges in handling bulky window and door frames, often incurring high skip hire costs or spending unpaid time transporting waste to local facilities. As a result, significant volumes of recyclable material have continued to be treated as general waste.

To streamline the process, Eurocell has partnered with national waste management company Biffa alongside regional specialists including Rhinos, CTSR, D&G, Avon Reclamation, and PVC Collections. This network enables a localised collection system, allowing installers to arrange domestic and small-load pickups through nearby branches or via phone.

Collected materials are consolidated at regional transfer stations before being transported to Eurocell’s dedicated recycling facilities in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and Selby, North Yorkshire. There, the PVC-U is reprocessed through grinding and extrusion, re-entering production as new window and door profiles within a closed-loop system.

In 2025, Eurocell processed 36,000 tonnes of recycled PVC-U and achieved an average of 30% recycled content across its extruded product range. The expanded branch network not only improves operational efficiency for installers but also reinforces the company’s commitment to material circularity and domestic recycling capacity within the UK construction sector.

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Over the course of 2026, ResponsibleGlass plans to develop a comprehensive certification scheme covering flat glass, container glass, and specialty glass. The goal is to give manufacturers, specifiers, and customers a reliable way to identify glass that has been responsibly sourced and produced, while encouraging continuous improvements in sustainability practices across the industry.

The initiative will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing circularity, improving worker safety, and enhancing supply chain transparency. According to Alan Knight, Chief Sustainability Officer of WE Soda, “Glass touches so many industries, from construction and automotive to emerging tech. Engaging the entire value chain is the only way to make real progress on sustainability.”

By setting a global benchmark for responsible production and sourcing, ResponsibleGlass could reshape the way companies select suppliers, define product specifications, and measure environmental impact. With the first standards expected in 2026, the initiative promises to set a new bar for sustainability in the glass industry.

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The Systems Company of the Year award recognises REHAU’s consistent excellence in designing, manufacturing, and supplying high-quality window and door profile systems. Voted for by industry peers, this accolade reflects the trust and respect REHAU has earned from installers, suppliers, and partners. The company’s focus on innovative solutions, precision engineering, and customer service ensures that its systems meet both modern performance standards and long-term reliability expectations. Four years of consecutive wins underline REHAU’s leadership and reputation for delivering excellence across the fenestration sector.

Equally impressive, REHAU’s PVCR recycling team was recognised as Recycling Company of the Year, celebrating the company’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy practices. PVCR plays a key role in diverting old PVC windows and doors from landfill, processing them into high-quality recycled materials that can be reused in new REHAU profiles. This approach significantly reduces environmental impact while supporting cost-effective waste management. The award highlights how REHAU combines environmental responsibility with operational efficiency, setting a benchmark for the wider industry.

Martin Hitchin, Chief Executive of REHAU UK, said:

We are absolutely delighted to have walked away with two major awards this year. These achievements wouldn’t be possible without the hard work, expertise and commitment of our teams across all departments. Recognition like this motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and raising standards.

With these dual wins, REHAU demonstrates its commitment to both innovation and sustainability. For customers, partners, and the industry at large, the accolades confirm that REHAU is a company that delivers exceptional products while actively contributing to a greener future.

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IRT provided dedicated containers and coordinated with exhibitors to collect their scrap glass throughout all three days of the event. According to Stanley Yee, Vice President of Sustainability and Technical Initiatives at IRT, the effort came together remarkably fast thanks to strong support from GlassBuild organizers, NGA staff, Freeman, and the Orange County Convention Center.

By the end of the show, IRT had gathered 28,640 pounds of recyclable glass, a result that underscores the industry’s growing commitment to sustainable practices. Yee emphasized that this initiative demonstrates the sector’s ability to “walk the talk” on waste reduction and showcase the infinite recyclability of glass as a building material.

With this year’s success as a foundation, IRT is already planning enhanced recycling efforts for GlassBuild 2026 in Las Vegas, aiming for even smoother coordination and broader exhibitor participation.

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