Epwin Latest News

UK�s first �closed loop� PVC-U window recycling project completed in Manchester

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Friday, 5 June 2009 09:22:00 GMT

The UK’s first installation of PVC-U windows, manufactured from 98 per cent recycled old post-consumer end of life PVC-U window frames, has been completed by a Manchester social housing provider.

Northwards Housing, which manages and maintains almost 13,000 properties across the North of the city, completed the pioneering refurbishment program in March.

Delivered by preferred partner and principal contractor, Manchester Working, social housing specialist, Wrekin Windows and New Charter, the project drew on the technical innovation in PVC-U technology to recover and recycle old ‘waste’ material.

Installed in 18 properties, the windows frames were manufactured solely from old end of life recycled material, other than for a thin virgin foiled ‘skin’, added to ensure colour uniformity. This represents a first for the social housing sector but also marks a significant leap forward in PVC-U building material sustainability.

This old material was recovered and reprocessed by Wrekin Windows and its sister companies, leading PVC-U recycler Dekura and window systems leader Profile 22, both part of the Epwin Group, from the replacement of windows on a nearby tower block.

Elliot Simm, home improvement service manager, Northwards Housing, said: “We have two main priorities: to improve the properties that we manage to make them a more, comfortable and secure home environment for our residents and second, to manage and maintain those properties sustainably.

“We have committed to a wholesale replacement of single glazed timber windows across our portfolio with energy efficient PVC-U windows and doors and this pilot project sits within that program.

“The recovery, reprocessing and ultimately installation of new PVC-U windows manufactured from what was waste material from our earlier tower block refurbishment by lead contractor Manchester Working, Wrekin and our other supply partners, is testimony to our commitment to drive sustainable practices throughout our estates management program.

“More widely, we believe that it represents a significant step forward for sustainability in refurbishment in social housing but also PVC-U as a building material.”

The Dekura service is unique in the UK, able to offer a post-consumer end of life recycling service in addition to the reprocessing of manufacturing off-cuts. A fully accredited member of Recovinyl, the recycler also offers full cycle traceability on all of the material that it collects.

This allows social housing providers and contractors to follow old material through the recycling process, providing demonstrable and auditable trail that can be used to support the site waste management planning process.

PVC-U windows have achieved top ratings with an ‘A+’ rating for commercial and ‘A’ rating for domestic windows in the Building Research Establishments Green Guide, to building material sustainability published in the summer.

Energy efficient, low maintenance and fully recyclable, the guide recognises that PVC-U products can play an important part alongside other materials in modern construction.

David Wrigley, technical director, Dekura said: “Massive advances have been made in PVC-U sustainability in the past 10 years. It’s still low maintenance, its energy efficient and it can be and is being recycled.

“What is now critical is that we are able to intercept waste material at end of life and that means working with the social housing sector to make sure that as part of their refurbishment programmes they make sure that the supply partners they select have the capacity to recycle post-consumer waste and are committed to doing so as part of project delivery.”

Swish cuts carbon footprint with recycled rainwater system

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Tuesday, 28 April 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Swish Building Products has launched a new low maintenance, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system, bringing thousands of tons of end of life material back into use.

Unveiled for the first time at ecobuild 2009, the rainwater and guttering system is manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material. This includes not only factory off cuts but old post-consumer material that has reached the end of its life.

And because they are manufactured from recycled material, rainwater pipes and gutters from Swish produce 70 per cent less CO2 than would be created in manufacture from virgin material.

Greg Wilde, of Swish Building Products said: “Swish rainwater systems are ideal for designers who want to specify quality products that have a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

“By manufacturing a product that effectively marries a recycled core and virgin skin we’re able to deliver a highly efficient, low maintenance and long life product with minimal environmental impact.”

The new guttering range is available in round, ogee or square profiles. These and down pipes have a two-tone appearance featuring a grey core and co-extruded outer skin to enhance the external appearance and to aid colour matching. This technology gives it exactly the same weather resistance and longevity of products manufactured from virgin material.

Each system also features a full range of joints, corners, outlets and brackets and is available in white and black, is BS Kitemarked and also manufactured to the full raft of BS EN accreditations.

Specialising in the supply of low maintenance roofline and cladding systems, Swish operates two state of the art manufacturing facilities in the West Midlands at Tamworth. These secured full certification for Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001 in 2007, while the company remains committed to continued environmental improvement.

In addition to its rainwater offer, Swish’s roofline and cladding systems also deliver significant environmental advantages. A more sustainable alternative to low-grade soft timber components, roofline and cladding products from Swish won’t warp, rot or flake, and eliminate maintenance problems associated with working at height or in exposed and inaccessible locations.

Greg concluded: “The combination of Swish roofline and guttering systems form the most sustainable option for domestic eaves protection and rainwater disposal.

“Roofline systems from Swish will last the lifetime of the building with little to no maintenance and as we’re demonstrating with the launch of our new rainwater system, can be recycled at the end of their life with a greatly reduced energy and CO2 input - that’s good for the developer, the end user and the environment.”

For more information on Swish’s full range of roofline and cladding products visit us on stand 1660, ecobuild, March 3 to 5, Earls Court, London. Alternatively visit www.swishbp.co.uk or call 01827 317 200.

Epwin Group reports growing market share

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Tuesday, 14 April 2009 09:22:00 GMT

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, has reported continuing growth in market share.

Publishing its Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2008, the company said against a backdrop of a 20 per cent contraction in window and door markets, the Group continued to perform strongly.

Turnover for 2008 was £188.5million – only four per cent down on last year - with an operating profit before goodwill of £5.7million, down from £10.2million last year.

Investment in capital expenditure of £4.7million, including product research and development, was consistent with last year. The window and door industry leader was also able to reduce net debt by £10.9million, reinforcing the Group’s already strong financial position and its reputation for prudence.

Jim Rawson, chairman, Epwin Group said: “The challenges that exist within construction are well chronicled. Clearly no business is immune from these wider economic forces, however, we have continued to perform strongly, increasing market share and consolidating our position as leader within the industry.

“Delivering a substantial reduction of Group debt by £10.9million has strengthened our financial foundation. From this platform we continue to build, maintaining capital investment at £4.7million.

“We also remain at the forefront of technical innovation within the industry leading the drive to make PVC-U more sustainable through our recycling business and re-processing plant – a unique facility in the UK.

“We are bringing a new generation of more advanced, secure, energy efficient and sustainable products to the market, something that directly benefits our customers but also the industry more widely.”

Recent innovations by Epwin Group companies include Profile 22’s expansion of its RCM (recycled composite material) range and the launch of a new cavity closer system, manufactured from 98 per cent recycled content.

Group business, Swish Building Products has also recently launched a new low maintenance, ‘low CO2’, recycled PVC rainwater system. Unveiled for the first time at ecobuild 2009 in March, the rainwater and guttering system is manufactured from 84 per cent recycled material, cutting CO2 emissions in production by 70 per cent compared to manufacture from virgin material.

Jim said: “Although we are not immune from market and wider economic challenges, as one of the largest and most stable players in the industry, we are to a degree insulated by our scale.

“We know our markets inside and out and we are at the forefront of innovation, research and development in each bringing new products to our customers, which support them in winning business now and in the future. The Epwin Group remains committed to the long term.”

�Green innovation can support economic recovery� says poll of ecobuild attendees

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Tuesday, 11 March 2009 09:22:00 GMT

The Government must do more to support green innovation in building to help the sector climb out of recession, according to the findings of a new survey.

Profile 22 unveils �green� new build window system

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Tuesday, 10 February 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Getting on your soapbox is meant to be what columns are all about.

Profile 22 unveils �green� new build window system

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Tuesday, 10 February 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Many of us will have made resolutions this month to shed those extra pounds we put on over Christmas. UK manufacturing too needs to get into better shape so that it comes out of the current economic downturn not only leaner but also meaner.

test

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Friday, 30 January 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Profile 22 unveils �green� new build window system

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Thur, 22 January 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Window systems leader Profile 22 will launch its unique green new build window system which boasts individual product recycled content of up to 98 per cent while eliminating the complexities of site product installation.

Dekura unveils new waste management service

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Thur, 22 January 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Dekura, the UK�s leading PVC-U recycler, will showcase its unique post-consumer waste PVC-U recycling and waste management service, at ecobuild.

Epwin Group listed in Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Tue, 13 January 2009 09:22:00 GMT

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, will be showcasing its new generation of advanced sustainable and energy efficient PVC-U products at ecobuild.

Epwin Group listed in Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 250

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Wed, 22 October 2008 09:22:00 GMT

The Epwin Group, the specialist low maintenance building materials group, has been listed as one of the UK�s top 250 mid-market businesses.

GGP Bullseye - Jim Rawson

info@epwin.co.uk (Epwin Group) — Wed, 24 September 2008 09:22:00 GMT

In a first for the glass and glazing industry media, Jim Rawson, Epwin Group founder and executive chairman talks exclusively to ggp.com�s online editor on video. .

Epwin Group warns of the long term cost 'eco-disinformation'