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Ecodek - WPC Decking

WRAP Report investigating Ecodek's evironmental contribution in the manufacturing industry.

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Ecodek
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240 views

Ecodek - WPC Decking

WRAP Report investigating Ecodek's evironmental contribution in the manufacturing industry.

Uploaded by

Ecodek
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Exemplars: Resource Efficiency in Construction Products

Wood Polymer Composite Decking


Vannplastic Ltd is a UK-based designer and manufacturer who extrude wood polymer composite into specific products. Their principle product is Ecodek outdoor decking, which has been used in over 3000 projects throughout the UK. Product details
Wood polymer composite (WPC) is a blend of wood fibres and HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic.

Business Case
Ecodek is resilient to changes in moisture, UV light and temperature and is highly suited to external applications as:

Vannplastics source of wood fibre is waste from a


timber processor with FSC/PEFC certification.

it will not splinter; it does not require sanding; it does not require filling; and it does not require preservative coatings.
These properties make Ecodek a stable material with low maintenance needs, which offsets the initial cost of supply and installation. The lifecycle costs of Ecodek are less than for softwoods. Furthermore, any installation off-cuts returned to Vannplastics factory are bought-back at 300/tonne. This avoids landfill costs and provides a direct economic reward.

Vannplastics source of HDPE is mostly disposed


milk bottles from local authority kerbside collection. Vannplastic Ltd has been commercially producing WPC products since 2002 in a range of profiles, colours and lengths. Their principle WPC product, Ecodek, has been used in over 3000 projects throughout the UK.

Resource efficiency benefits


95% recycled content 55% wood fibre and 40%
HDPE (high density polyethylene).

5% non-recycled additive content to improve


physical, weathering & processing properties.

WPC is 100% recyclable into more WPC.


In 2010 the manufacture of Ecodek diverted from landfill:

1,000 tonnes of wood fibres/flour; 727 tonnes of HDPE plastic; and 20 tonnes of returned Ecodek off-cuts.
The above figures are projected to increase 20% yearon-year.

Diverting wood from landfill mitigates the


greenhouse gases otherwise emitted in organic decomposition.
Ecodek wood polymer composite decking boards

Resource Efficiency Materials wastage


Minimal wastage from manufacturing extrusion. Minimal installation off-cuts as customer specified
lengths (up to 6 meters) can be supplied at no extra cost.

Ecodek is a substitute for hardwood lumber.


Lumber often does not come from certified sustainably managed forests.

Vannplastic is testing granulated PET as a


substitute to HDPE, which would increase the security of the recycled plastic content.

Recycled content
55% waste wood fibre/flour content, sourced from
a timber processor in Northern France.

Supplier of waste wood fibres


In 2004 we were approached by Vannplastic to supply a bespoke wood fibre from post-furniture waste. Over the past 5 years our sales of wood fibres for Ecodek has become an important part of our business. Simon F Thompstone Managing Director, Eden Products Ltd of Middlewich

40% granulated HDPE (high density polyethylene)


which is commonly used for milk bottles, plastic pipes and films.

Vannplastic is testing granulated PET, which is


commonly used for soft drinks bottles.

Water use
Water is used to clean the decking, for instance to
remove algae growth.

Barratt Homes Plc


Project type: Location: Client: Contractors: Value: Apartment Balconies London SE Barratt Homes Gaysha Building Services 200k

WPC is easier and quicker to clean than fully


lumber decking.

Embodied water
Water is used for cooling in the extrusion process. Vannplastic capture and reuse the water
repeatedly through a chilled water circuit. Since 2009 Barratt Homes Plc has been installing Ecodek as balcony decking for city apartment blocks. In particular Barratt Homes specifying team select Ecodek for its looks, low maintenance and long service life.

Life span (e.g. durability)


Under normal use Ecodek should outlive lumber decking as Ecodeks properties include:

low moisture absorption; no rotting, splintering or splitting; in-built termite and UV resistance; and excellent dimensional stability.

End of life (e.g. reuse; recyclability)


Vannplastic buy-back any end-of-life Ecodek
returned to their factory at 0.30 per kilo.

Ecodek can be granulated and 100% recycled into


more Ecodek or alternative WPC profiles.

As a thermoplastic HDPE should not suffer loss of


quality through recycling.

Ecodek: balcony decking by Barratt Homes

Resource scarcity and security


The timber processor who provides the waste
wood fibre/flour uses 100% PEFC certified sustainably managed timber.

Project performance
Area installed Onsite off-cut wastage rate Tonnes returned for offcut buy-back Wood fibre diverted from landfill HDPE polymer diverted from landfill Total waste diverted from landfill 5,500 m 2.3% 3.5 tonnes 82 tonnes 60 tonnes 145.5 tonnes
2

London Olympic Stadium, Stratford


Project type: Location: Client: Contractors: Value: VIP suite in new-build stadium Stratford, London Olympic Development Authority Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd 130k

Bespoke Ecodek profiles were installed that prevent debris falling through the decking and collecting underneath.

Project performance
Area installed Onsite off-cut wastage rate Wood fibre diverted from landfill HDPE polymer diverted from landfill Total waste diverted from landfill 3,900 m2 0% (every decking board was provided at the correct length) 60 tonnes 44 tonnes 104 tonnes

Company contacts
Vannplastic Limited Viscount House, River Lane, Saltney, Chester, CH4 8RH Tel: +44 (0)1244 677 367 Fax: +44 (0)1244 681 999 Web: http://ecodek.co.uk/

Ecodek: balcony decking by Barratt Homes

While we have tried to make sure this case study is accurate, we cannot accept responsibility or be held legally responsible for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with this information being inaccurate, incomplete or misleading. This material is copyrighted. You can copy it free of charge as long as the material is accurate and not used in a misleading context. You must identify the source of the material and acknowledge our copyright. You must not use material to endorse or suggest we have endorsed a commercial product or service. For more details please see our terms and conditions on our website at www.wrap.org.uk

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