As the Managing Director of Austrotherm and Converters Director on the EUMEPS Board of Directors, Heimo Pascher plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of EPS recycling. Under his leadership, Austrotherm has been actively involved in the EPSolutely project, working towards a circular economy for EPS in Austria. In this interview, he shares insights on the integration of the EPSolutely app, operational changes to support sustainability, the importance of cross-industry collaboration, and key learnings from the first phase of the collection network for EPS offcuts.
How has Austrotherm integrated the use of the EPSolutely app for collecting and coordinating the recycling of EPS offcuts? What results have you seen so far?
Together with all partners in the EPSolutely project, we have developed a software solution for cross-company coordination of EPS waste collection at construction sites. The system is hosted by the Austrian EPS Association (GPH - Güteschutzgemeinschaft Polystyrol-Hartschaum). Workflow integration and usability play a crucial role, as the software must be easy to use for end users and integrate seamlessly into each company’s software landscape.
Through a simplified process, using a QR code printed directly on the recycling bag, construction companies can access the app (without registration) to register their bags for collection.
We launched the EPS recycling service at the beginning of September 2024. Some of our customers are already using the service, and so far, we have received only positive feedback. We expect an increasing number of customers to adopt the service in the coming months.
What operational changes have been most effective in adapting Austrotherm’s existing processes to support the circular economy model proposed by EPSolutely?
We launched our Austrotherm Recycling Service three years ago. In the first phase, we focused on collecting XPS waste from construction sites. We quickly realised that our customers were keen to contribute to the circular economy. Building on this success, we expanded our service to include EPS.
How does the cross-industry collaboration fostered by EPSolutely influence your company’s decision-making regarding sustainability and process efficiency?
For the collection of EPS offcuts, it was clear from the outset that this initiative could only succeed through industry-wide collaboration across Austria. Without a coordinated approach, the logistics would be too costly and environmentally unsustainable.
This is why we decided to work with the EPSolutely research project team, which consists of 13 partners, to develop an effective system. The project was carefully structured, with clearly defined responsibilities among the partners. Decision-making processes ran smoothly, and the experience gained will be invaluable for future projects. Having already established strong working relationships across the entire value chain will be a significant advantage moving forward.
What are the key takeaways from the initial testing of the collection network for EPS offcuts at Austrotherm's sites, and how will these inform future rollouts?
EPS is ideally suited for recycling. Following extensive testing with different recycling equipment, we have been able to reuse more than 90% of the EPS offcuts collected from construction sites. I am confident that we will be able to increase this percentage further in the coming months.
Conclusion
The early results from Austrotherm’s participation in EPSolutely demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of a coordinated approach to EPS recycling. By streamlining collection processes, leveraging industry-wide collaboration, and refining recycling methods, the company is making significant strides toward a sustainable, closed-loop system. With promising initial success and growing engagement from customers, Austrotherm is set to further enhance EPS recycling, reinforcing its commitment to circular economy principles and long-term environmental responsibility.