Remanufacturing insulated glazing: five levers through value network mapping of two pioneering projects

Abstract

In façade retrofit projects, several challenges are hindering the reuse of insulated glazing. As a result, 1.5 million tons of insulated glass units (IGUs) are being downcycled or landfilled in Europe each year. Yet, niche practices in which IGUs are remanufactured prove that recurring challenges can be tackled. Therefore, this research identifies levers to overcome challenges from two pioneering projects: the swimming pool in Stuttgart-Feuerbach (Germany) and elderly home Betsy Perk (The Netherlands). Through interviews, a detailed analysis of the IGU remanufacturing process is conducted, mapping material flows, steps of the remanufacturing process, the value network (showing roles involved and their main interactions in materials, money, and intangible flows), and specific answers to pre-specified recurring challenges. These potential levers include assigning a reuse coordinator, building a complementary network with early involvement, conducting a feasibility study, specifying reuse ambitions in the tendering documents and/or quotations, and organising the logistics pragmatically. Instead of being one-on-one solutions, the identified levers could tackle several challenges at once. Altogether the results of this study provide a better understanding of reuse practices of façade components. In further research, multiple projects will be compared allowing practitioners to overcome the recurring challenges and to increase reuse in the construction sector.