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Specifying Sustainability in Fenestration

Building Products Index Ltd Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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As the construction industry works towards net zero, window and door specification has an important role to play in creating more sustainable, energy-efficient buildings.

Join Eurocell for this CPD UK Verified Lunch & Learn, exploring how fenestration choices can influence operational and embodied carbon, material use and whole-life building performance.

The session will cover:

  • Material selection, durability and maintenance
  • Recycled content, closed-loop recycling and the circular economy
  • Whole-window performance, including U-values, G-values and Psi-values
  • Lifecycle Assessments and Environmental Product Declarations
  • Recyclability and end-of-life considerations
  • The importance of accurate, product-specific performance data

What you’ll learn

Gain practical knowledge to help you make more informed fenestration choices that support sustainability, regulatory compliance and long-term building performance.

We have two online sessions available:

Check out some of our other CPDS here: Accredited CPD Learning with Eurocell | Building Knowledge, Building Confidence

EUROCELL LAUNCHES SURESPEC TO SET NEW COMPLIANCE STANDARDS FOR WINDOW AND DOOR SPECIFICATION

Building Products Index Ltd Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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Eurocell has become the UK’s first systems house to take full control of the window and door specification process with the launch of SureSpec, a fully audited model designed to eliminate gaps between design intent and final installation.

SureSpec is currently the only fully audited, end-to-end specification system for windows and doors. Its purpose is to ensure that what is specified is exactly what is manufactured, delivered and installed on each project.

The system tackles a well-known challenge in the industry where window and door specifications are often inconsistent, recycled from past projects, and frequently fail to reflect modern compliance requirements.

Its launch comes at a time when the need for clarity and accountability in specification has never been greater and is critical to the progress and overall success of projects. Regulatory expectations have surged following major updates to Parts L, F and Q of the Building Regulations, alongside the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator’s Gateway process.

Since late 2023, fewer than 11% of Gateway 2 applications for higher-risk new-build projects have been approved, with documentation gaps contributing to delays across the sector – indicating the importance of the issue.

Meanwhile, the government’s incoming Home Energy Model (HEM), replacing SAP, will require project teams to use accurate, product-specific performance and carbon data. Generic or inaccurate window and door specifications will not meet compliance thresholds – reinforcing why the launch of SureSpec comes at a pivotal moment.

Gary Doxey, Commercial Manager at Eurocell, says SureSpec answers these challenges and gives everyone across the project supply chain confidence in the full specification and delivery process:

“The industry needs precision, proof and accountability, and Eurocell is taking ownership of the entire fenestration specification process so what’s specified is what gets built.

“The window and door specifications we produce as part of SureSpec contain performance, reinforcement, carbon, hardware and testing data that alternative products can’t match. Changing to a non-equivalent system after specification, would risk non-compliance, delays and potentially significant costs.

“Eurocell is the only system house with the technical infrastructure to deliver this, meaning we can support social housing, student accommodation, BTR, residential and commercial schemes with a level of assurance that, in our view, can’t be matched by other providers.”

SureSpec has been designed to support every stakeholder involved in the window and door journey:

  • Architects receive accurate, performance-led NBS specifications with carbon data already embedded.
  • Surveyors are given a complete Eurocell specification with all reinforcement, loading and integration requirements defined, removing ambiguity at quotation stage.
  • Main contractors benefit from locked specifications and clearer accountability, reducing the risk of costly variations or non-compliant installations.
  • Fabricators receive window-by-window manufacturing drawings that eliminate guesswork.
  • Installers are supported with practical mini-manuals.

All this is underpinned with an on-site audit carried out by Eurocell, which verifies the installation matches the original design intent.

In addition to improving compliance and consistency, SureSpec strengthens sustainability performance by embedding accurate carbon and recycling data, underpinned by Eurocell’s closed-loop PVC-U recycling capabilities, directly within each specification. This ensures project teams can meet future HEM requirements and support broader ESG commitments.

Gary added:

“SureSpec represents a major shift in specification culture. Launching the scheme is just the beginning, we will continue to expand the audit model, integrate additional digital tools and build on our technical capabilities. This is about embedding a ‘do it once, do it right’ approach across the industry.”

For more information about SureSpec, visit: https://www.eurocell.co.uk/surespec

EUROCELL INTRODUCES RECYCLING SERVICE FOR CAVALOK OFFCUTS

Building Products Index Ltd Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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Eurocell can now recycle the offcuts of Cavalok Cavity Closers it receives from fabricators after investing in new machinery and skills.

The new process, which is part of Eurocell’s strategy to increase the proportion of recycled PVC-U in its products to 40% by 2030, is one of the first of its kind to be introduced for cavity closers by a systems house in the UK.

The new capability means Eurocell can now remove the expanded polystyrene (EPS) core from the Cavalok Cavity Closer offcut, leaving the remaining PVC-U to be recycled for the design and manufacture of its future window and door products. The EPS is then delivered to Eurocell’s partners to be recycled.

The machinery and team to undertake the process has been put in place at Eurocell’s recycling plant in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and will support all its fabricator partners who manufacture the closers and have their own sustainability and waste management targets to meet.

Benefits of Cavalok Cavity Closers

Eurocell’s Cavalok Cavity Closers enable brick courses to be completed and create an air-tight receiver for windows and doors. Meaning no matter the size or make-up of a wall, installers can quickly and cost-effectively close the cavity at window and door openings – instantly increasing a property’s thermal efficiency and reducing its energy bills. The closers also meet Accredited Construction Details regulations and are compliant with Part L of Building Regulations.

Eurocell’s Commitment to Recycling and Sustainability

Sandra Gaspar, Head of Recycling at Eurocell, says the new initiative is part of its ongoing recycling strategy, she said; “We are continually reviewing all our processes across our PVC-U product range and recycling to ensure we can return as much PVC-U to the industry as possible.

“Our Cavalok Cavity Closers have a EPS core, so we needed this specalised process, skills and capability in place to ensure it can be separated from the PVC-U in the offcuts – so that we can then use the PVC-U in the design and manufacture of future products.

“It means all our fabricator partners who use our Cavalok Cavity Closers can now take advantage and support their own sustainability and waste management goals too, by working with us to ensure their offcuts are recycled.”

Closed-Loop Recycling System and Collection Service

Eurocell facilitates efficient PVC-U recycling for installers and fabricators through its closed-loop recycling system. By offering reliable and timely collections from any UK site, Eurocell ensures that PVC-U waste is managed responsibly. The service includes all aspects of waste management, from collection and transport to documentation, with waste transfer notes provided to demonstrate responsible handling

At present, Eurocell operates the largest PVC-U recycling operation in the UK and it achieved 32 percent recycled PVC-U in extrusion in 2023, up from 27 percent in 2021.

Eurocell recently attended this year’s Resource & Waste Management Expo (RWM) demonstrating to visitors its closed-loop recycling system and showcasing the substantial progress made in using recycled materials in the design and manufacture of its PVC-U building products.

If you need more information or would like to get in touch with Eurocell to ensure Cavakok offcuts are recycled, please contact recycle@eurocell-recycle.co.uk.

 

Eurocell Sets Benchmark For Recycled PVCu In Extrusion

Building Products Index Ltd Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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Eurocell, which operates the largest PVC-U recycling operation in the UK, achieved 32 per cent recycled PVC-U in extrusion in 2023, up from 27 per cent in 2021 – setting a new bar for recycled materials in the design and manufacture of its PVC-U windows and doors.

Eurocell’s dedication to sustainability is demonstrated through its innovative manufacturing processes, where its profiles division blends raw PVC resin with recycled materials sourced from the company’s cutting-edge recycling plants located in Selby, North Yorkshire, and Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

These facilities are pivotal in transforming factory offcuts and old window frames, which would likely end up in landfill, into reusable raw materials. In 2023 alone, Eurocell’s recycling operations saved the equivalent of approximately 3 million window frames from landfill. The business operates a closed-loop recycling system to ensure that waste PVC-U can be reused, significantly reducing environmental impact.

Sandra Gaspar, Head of Recycling at Eurocell, commented: “The increase to 32 per cent in the proportion of recycled materials in our extrusion process, is a testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainability and demonstrates how we are leading the way in PVC-U recycling.

“By integrating more recycled content into our products, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also provide our customers with high-quality, sustainable building solutions. We are helping the industry reduce waste and lower its carbon footprint, which is what we want our forward strategy to help deliver as we look to make further inroads in our recycling operation.”

Looking ahead, Eurocell has set an ambitious target to increase the proportion of recycled PVC-U in its products to 40% by 2030. The company’s recycling initiatives also extend beyond its own operations and they are actively working with third-party sites to optimise material recovery and reduce waste, aiming to increase the percentage of waste recycled to 88% by 2025 and to 93% by 2030.

Eurocell facilitates efficient PVC-U recycling for installers and fabricators through its closed-loop recycling system. By offering reliable and timely collections from any UK site, Eurocell ensures that PVC-U waste is managed responsibly. The service includes all aspects of waste management, from collection and transport to documentation, with waste transfer notes provided to demonstrate responsible handling – a testament to why the home improvement specialist won “Best PVC-U Manufacturer & Recycler 2023 – UK” at the Design and Build Awards 2023.

With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, Eurocell is leading the way in PVC-U recycling within the industry, providing sustainable, low-carbon products, to meet the growing demand for sustainable building products.

Sustainable Solutions

Eurocell’s Logik 70mm window system, delivers an energy performance specification of 1.2 U-value. Thisinnovative and sustainable window solution, features over 40% recycled PVC-U in the central core of the profile with virgin PVC-U on visible faces to ensure the same aesthetics and technical performance, but with more environmentally responsible credentials.

Exceeding Energy Efficiency Specifications

Eurocell has been pivotal in product design that not only keeps ahead of legislation changes but alsoenables design flexibility to meet any challenge, with an example being the Modus 75mm window system, with the ability to achieve 0.8 U-Value, offering slim sightlines that replicate those of an aluminium system, while supported with the manufacture process of more than >50% recycled content it drives the dedication to sustainability.

For more information on how Eurocell can assist you in delivering your next project, please contact the team commercialsales.profiles@eurocell.co.uk