How wonderful it is that we are increasingly seeing waste as an opportunity rather than a problem? There is still a lot to learn, but we are witnessing a shift, as with the waste-to-product mindset, we see more and more applications in our daily lives. A prime example is the collaboration between Renewi (fka Coolrec), Zimmermann Gruppe, and Kingspan—three parties that ensure that gases from old refrigerators find a new purpose and function. In 2022, these companies launched a remarkable partnership, a true example of the circular economy

Renewi, Zimmermann Gruppe, and Kingspan

Let’s briefly introduce these three companies. Renewi collects used household appliances and dismantles them into usable circular materials . Zimmermann Gruppe specialises in the recovery, recycling, and in the most environmentally friendly and safe way of disposal of hazardous and toxic waste that accumulates in industrial processes. Kingspan offers a comprehensive range of insulation and building envelope solutions, with sustainability embedded in its DNA.

From used household appliances to new building materials

These three companies have adopted the waste-to-product philosophy. How does this work in practice? Old used refrigerators are taken to collection points, such as recycling centres. From there, they come to Renewi, where they are ultimately recycled into usable circular materials. Refrigerators and boilers contain metals, plastics and mixtures of gases. Renewi's gas recovery process safely captures the gas. That’s where Renewi's job ends. The gas mixture then goes to Zimmermann Gruppe, where the gases are separated. Part of the gases are prepared for a second life as blowing agents, while others are no longer usable and are destroyed.

In this case, Kingspan puts them to good use in the production of insulation boards. By using the recovered blowing agent, the insulation boards achieve their insulating function. This significantly reduces Kingspan’s reliance on virgin raw materials. Thanks to the collaboration, the cycle is complete and the waste-to-product philosophy is becoming the norm.

The facts at a glance

This successful collaboration has been going on since 2022. What does this mean specifically? Here are the facts:

• Since 2022 Over 1.5 million refrigerators have been recycled annually.
• During 2022 - 2024, Kingspan used 393,766 kg of blowing agent recovered refrigerators and boilers to produce insulation boards.
• In 2022, the share of reused blowing agent was 21%, increasing to 43,5% in 2024 at Kingspan’s Winterswijk production site. This would be equivalent to more than two million m² of material based on 100 mm thick boards in 2024.

Voices of the Key Players

In summary, these are results that Renewi, Zimmermann Gruppe, and Kingspan can be proud of. How do they reflect on this collaboration?

Bas van Ginkel, Managing Director of Renewi E-waste

"This is closing the loop in practice. Every day, our people are dedicated to converting waste into recyclables—whether it's gases, metals, or plastics. It's beautiful to see how, in this case, these gases find their way to a second life in a similarly high-quality application," says Bas van Ginkel, Managing Director of Renewi E-waste.

Benjamin Zimmermann, CEO RCN from Zimmermann Gruppe

“We are very pleased to make a significant contribution to a sustainable and value-creating economy together with our partners. This collaboration perfectly reflects Zimmermann Group’s commitment to actively shaping a sustainable future through technological leadership and our expertise. Partnerships like this demonstrate what is possible when all stakeholders work together. “a true success for both the environment and the economy.” States Benjamin Zimmermann, CEO RCN from Zimmermann Gruppe.

Erwin Kuperus, Head of Certification & Sustainability at Kingspan Insulation Central Europe

"Kingspan is continuously working to improve processes and products, reducing our environmental footprint. We can achieve this by collaborating with other parties throughout the chain who are committed to realise the waste-to-product cycle, such as Renewi and Zimmermann Gruppe . Without the efforts of the entire chain, including consumers, businesses, and recycling centers, these raw materials would not be recovered. We are pleased and proud to have integrated the recovered blowing agent into our production process while maintaining our quality, thus contributing to a circular economy," says Erwin Kuperus, Head of Certification & Sustainability at Kingspan Insulation for Central Europe.

Waste to product. There is still a world to win. Despite this, we are well on our way, and Renewi, Zimmermann Gruppe, and Kingspan are inspiring examples of how companies can work together to make a difference.