Orcasitas Community Renovation with EPS in Madrid, Spain

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Written by: Ingrid

Category: News - Smart Insulation

Published: 08 May 2025

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• Building Europe
• EPS Enhances Buildings
• Advocating for EPS Buildings

• Links:
  • Link title: Our approach to the ideal renovation, Link URL: https://www.priorityinsulation.eu/index.html

In the Poblado Dirigidode Orcasitas, a community of 1,800 homes in Madrid underwent a consequent renovation project driven by grassroots efforts to combat inefficient building structures.

This project led to an improvement of the neighbourhood’s aesthetics and to significant savings in terms of energy consumption, with residents experiencing up to 80% lower heating costs. Furthermore, the renovated buildings with EPS (expanded polystyene) are set to lower their CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030.

Through community leadership and collaboration with municipal authorities, the Orcasitas renovation demonstrates exactly how impactful insulation with EPS can be on the road to achieving European climate goals.

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Challenges

The renovation project in Orcasitas tackled a range of difficulties that paralleled local and European challenges both. Buildings were originally constructed with poor insulation, leading to uncomfortable living conditions, high energy bills, and a significant environmental impact. The façades, roofs, and windows lacked proper thermal protection, leading to heat loss in the winter and over heating in the summer.

This scenario illustrates the broader European challenge of upgrading an aging building stock, as 70% of it is out of date and contributes to the continent’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions. As the European Union pushes forward with initiatives like the Green Deal and Renovation Wave, projects like Orcasitas area good example of the scale of work required to decarbonise the building stock by 2050.

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Solutions

The solutions explored in Orcasitas centred around the extensive use of insulation to retrofit and modernise the buildings. One of the primary strategies was the installation of an External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) with EPS to envelop the buildings in a continuous thermal barrier. This method was crucial in closing thermal bridges, which are common in older buildings and contribute significantly to energy inefficiency.

The renovation also removed harmful asbestos roofing materials and replaced them with modern, insulated, and reflective alternatives, further improving both energy efficiency and the health conditions of residents. Roofs, façades, and other building envelopes were reinforced with adequate insulation, ensuring a comprehensive solution to thermal loss.

In terms of policy alignment, the approach utilised here prioritises energy efficiency as the first step in the energy transition. By reducing energy consumption, insulation solutions like those implemented in Orcasitas align with the regulations and targets set forth by the EPBD, while improving residents’ living conditions.

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Implementation

The Orcasitas renovation project was a collaborative effort between residents, led by a local woman named Manuela Navaro, and the Madrid City Council. The residents pushed for the refurbishment after experiencing years of discomfort due to poor insulation and high energy bills.

Following the application of external insulation to the building façades, residents noted a significant improvement in temperature control as well as aesthetics. Insulation allowed for a complete transformation of the buildings, preserving the neighbourhood’s identity while modernising its appearance.

The total cost of the project was €20 million, 80% of which was funded by the municipal government. Homeowners were responsible for covering the remaining cost, which averaged around €20,000 per household. To address affordability issues, particularly for vulnerable families, the city facilitated low-interest loans through agreements with local banks.
Payment terms were flexible, ranging from 1 to 10 years, making the renovation accessible for all residents.

A further step included the installation of sensors to monitor indoor air quality and energy consumption, with ongoing studies to measure the long-term effects of the renovation on both the environment and the residents' well-being.

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Results and Benefits

The renovation has delivered notable results, particularly in terms of energy savings. Heating bills in the neighbourhood have dropped by an average of 80%, and many residents reported that they no longer needed to rely on their heating systems as frequently. One resident noted that their winter heating bill dropped from €300 to just €93.

In terms of emissions, the project is on track to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030. This achievement is vital in contributing to Madrid’s broader emissions reduction goals, in line with the EU’s target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.

Additionally, property values in Orcasitas have increased as a result of the improvements. Residents now boast about the transformation of their homes, noting that the external insulation has rejuvenated the neighbourhood’s appearance. A more subtle effect of this renovation is better health, as this leads to reduced stress and improved overall quality of life through air quality and thermal comfort.

The project has also stimulated the local economy, with job creation in the construction and green building sectors. As the EU moves towards a greener economy, projects like Orcasitas show how renovation can contribute to job growth and economic stimulus.

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Policy Relevance

The Orcasitas renovation is a model project that directly aligns with several keyEuropean Union policies, including the Green Deal, the Renovation Wave, and theEPBD.
It demonstrates the potential for community-driven action to align withEuropean objectives and illustrates how energy efficiency through insulation can serve as a primary strategy to reduce energy bills and improve resilience against energy crises.

The Renovation Wave, launched in 2020, aims to at least double the rate of building renovation inEurope by 2030, with a focus on energy efficiency. The Orcasitas project is an example of how energy efficiency should be prioritised over heating system upgrades alone, as the insulation-led approach not only reduces energy consumption but also lowers bills—a critical consideration as Europe faces rising energy prices. This contrasts with approaches that focus primarily on heating solutions, which can sometimes lead to higher energy costs.

By prioritising energy efficiency in line with the EPBD’s minimum energy performance standards, projects like Orcasitas are a good approach to ensure that Europe can meet its decarbonisation targets without burdening citizens with increased energy costs.

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Conclusion

The Orcasitas project provides a scalable solution for similar neighbourhoods across Europe. As the continent faces the dual challenge of addressing aging building stock and reducing energy consumption, the focus on insulation as the first line of renovation offers a cost-effective and impactful solution.

This project demonstrates that energy efficiency not only improves comfort and health but also delivers measurable financial savings, reduces emissions, and stimulates economic growth.

Replicating this model across Europe could help achieve the EU’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal, reduce dependence on external energy sources, and create jobs.Stakeholders across the public and private sectors should prioritise insulation-led renovation projects to ensure that future generations benefit from sustainable, energy-efficient housing.

France Lifts Styrenics Ban to Align with EU Packaging Regulation

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Written by: Ingrid

Category: News - Smart Packaging

Published: 08 April 2025

Hits: 786

• Advocacy
• Sustainability
• Advocating for EPS Packaging
• Applications in Packaging

• Links:
  • Link title: Read the press release, Link URL: https://eumeps.eu/eumeps-newsroom-packaging/press-releases/article-23-of-the-french-climate-and-resilience-act-on-styrenic-packaging-is-deleted
  • Link title: Learn about the Créa-Styr project (in French), Link URL: https://www.elipso.org/projet-crea-styr/
  • Link title: Leatn about the CréaStyr project (in English), Link URL: https://www.eumeps.eu/eumeps-newsroom/press-releases/crea-styr-a-conclusive-response-by-industry-players-to-polystyrene-recycling

In a long-awaited move that delivers legal clarity to the packaging sector, the French Parliament has officially withdrawn a national ban on non-recyclable styrenic packaging. The decision not only confirms alignment with European law under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) but also ensures that styrenic materials can continue to be used while industry-led recycling solutions are scaled up. This adjustment brings welcome stability for manufacturers and recyclers alike, as they work towards full recyclability by 2030 and beyond.

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France Harmonises Packaging Law with European Regulation
The deletion of Article 23 from the 2021 Climate and Resilience Act removes a national-level restriction that had foreseen a ban on non-recyclable styrenic packaging from 1 January 2025. Its removal aligns France with EU Regulation 2025/40, which sets out recyclability requirements for all packaging, including styrenics, from 2030.

Recognising the risk of over-transposition, the French Government previously signalled its intent to revise the law in mid-2024, responding to parliamentary questions and publishing guidance to avoid overlaps with evolving EU rules. The “DDADUE” Act now formalises this alignment, offering the policy clarity needed to support industrial planning and long-term investments.

 

Implications for the Industry
The repeal brings significant regulatory relief for stakeholders across the packaging value chain. Styrenic packaging can now continue to be marketed under the same conditions as other plastics, giving producers time to innovate within the EU’s legally defined timelines.

More broadly, this decision reinforces the need for coherent legislation that supports the development of a high-performance recycling infrastructure across Member States — one that is climate-neutral, resource-efficient, and built for long-term environmental objectives.

 

ELIPSO’s Role and the CréaStyr Roadmap
Much credit goes to ELIPSO and its members, with the support of EUMEPS, whose continuous engagement at national level helped ensure that the French position reflected broader European legislative trends. Their work exemplifies the importance of coordinated advocacy that spans both national associations and EU representation.

As part of their CréaStyr roadmap, ELIPSO continues to drive practical innovation to achieve recyclability for styrenic packaging at scale by 2035. Tangible progress has already been made, including:

• Eco-designed XPS trays and EPS packaging that enable better sorting and separation;
• Expanded collection points at waste centres to improve recycling access;
• Pilot standards to support the separate collection of professional EPS packaging.

Strategic Coordination Delivers Results
Reflecting on the outcome, Lea Salihovic, EU Policy Manager at EUMEPS, commented:

“This result highlights what’s possible when national advocacy and EU-level policy engagement are aligned. It’s a strong example of how the styrenics sector, through clear evidence and joint efforts, can contribute to a more consistent, efficient regulatory framework — while continuing to innovate in line with circular economy goals.”

The alignment of French and EU law not only simplifies the regulatory landscape but also strengthens the industry’s ability to invest and innovate with confidence. With a shared goal of achieving circularity and reducing environmental impact, the styrenics sector now has a clearer pathway to contributing meaningfully to Europe’s Green Deal objectives.

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The official removal of France’s proposed ban on styrenic packaging sends a strong signal of support for EU-wide coherence and climate-aligned innovation. With a stable regulatory base and clear targets in place, the industry is well-positioned to scale energy-saving, circular solutions that meet both environmental and economic goals.

EUMEPS Elects New Board of Directors and Appoints First Female President

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Written by: Ingrid

Category: Press releases

Published: 09 April 2025

Hits: 459

• Documents:
  • Document Name: Download our press release, Document File: 2025_PR_EUMEPS_new_Board_of_Directors.pdf
• Links:
  • Link title: Meet our Board members, Link URL: https://eumeps.eu/about-eumeps/our-structure

A diverse and committed team to guide the European EPS industry towards greater sustainability and circularity.

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The General Assembly of EUMEPS, the association representing the entire value chain of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in Europe, has elected a new Board of Directors for the 2025–2027 term.

The newly appointed President is Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk (Synthos) – the first woman to hold this position since the creation of the association. She will work alongside three Vice-Presidents: Alan Moss (BEWI), Gregor Haverkemper (BASF) and Chresten Heide-Anderson (EPSbranchen, Denmark).

This year’s Board brings together experienced professionals from across Europe and reflects the diverse composition of the EPS value chain – from raw material suppliers and converters to recyclers and national associations.

It also sees three women elected, including two new members – Agata Gładysz-Stanczyk and Graziana Carianni (Versalis) – and the re-election of Serena Klein (IVH, Germany).

Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk, newly elected President of EUMEPS, commented: “It is an honour to take on the role of President of EUMEPS at a time when our industry is playing a pivotal role in Europe’s transition towards a circular economy. At Synthos, we have demonstrated that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand — developing advanced insulation materials that both improve building performance and reduce environmental impact. I am confident that, by working together through EUMEPS, we can drive the widespread adoption of sustainable EPS solutions, enhancing energy efficiency in renovations and setting a solid foundation for long-term environmental benefits across Europe”

Jürgen Lang, Director General of EUMEPS, added: “The election of the new Board of Directors, under the leadership of Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk, marks a key milestone for EUMEPS. Over the next two years, our focus will be to elevate the profile of EPS in the European sustainability dialogue, highlighting its advantages in energy efficiency, affordability, and recyclability. We remain committed to working closely with EU policymakers, industry stakeholders and civil society to promote high-performance, circular solutions that support climate neutrality and drive the energy transition.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr Klaus Ries and the outgoing Board of Directors for their dedication, trust and strategic guidance over the past years. Their leadership has enabled EUMEPS to grow stronger, more visible, and better equipped to represent the EPS value chain at the European level. We now build on this solid foundation with renewed energy and ambition.”

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Composition of the EUMEPS Board of Directors (2025–2027) 

President

• Agata Gładysz-Stańczyk (Synthos)

Vice-Presidents

• Alan Moss (BEWI)
• Gregor Haverkemper (BASF)
• Chresten Heide-Anderson (EPSbranchen, Denmark)

Directors (alphabetical order)

• Graziana Carianni (Versalis) – Recycler category
• Roman Eberstaller (Sunpor)
• Roland Hebbel (Steinbacher Dämmstoff)
• Markus Kraft (Hirsch Porozell)
• Dariusz Łazęcki (Termo Organika)
• Heimo Pascher (Austrotherm)
• Patrick Sutter (Knauf Industries)
• Serena Klein (IVH, Germany)