Paper recycler invests EUR 5 million in ‘green’ building material

The Netherlands – Paper recycler Van Houtum of the Netherlands has announced a Euro 5 million investment in a joint venture for the production of ECOR, a sustainable alternative to particleboard and other materials which uses recycled paper, textiles and even TetraPak beverage containers.

ECOR green building materials emerged on to the Dutch market about a year ago from a regional subsidiary of Noble Environmental Technologies in Venlo. The ECOR panels represent an alternative to materials such as MDF and chipboard, both in terms of manufacturing process and chemical composition.

The ECOR manufacturing process binds the cellulose fibres to each other without the use of toxic glues and resins, using only water, heat and pressure. The panels can be used to make, for example, wall and ceiling tiles, furniture and packaging.

The recycled materials will be sourced from regional enterprises and institutions, including Schiphol Airport as well as local recycling centres and manufacturing organisations.

According to Van Houtum’s managing director Bas Gehlen, many companies produce cellulose fibre waste ‘and they are now looking for a circular economy solution to recycle and reuse this’.