Funded by Business Finland, the Circular Plastic Pipes project has been running for two years within the SPIRIT programme. The project partners in the lead of GF Buildings Flow Solutions are studying advanced recycling methods needed for closing the raw material loop and re-using peroxide cross-linked polyethylene (PE-Xa) pipe scrap as a raw material for new pipes. In the project, GF together with VTT evaluated potential climate impacts of chemically recycled PE-Xa scrap based on a life cycle assessment study. The results from this study were recently presented at the Plastic Pipes Conference (PPXXII) by Ilari Aho from GF Building Flow Solutions (formerly known as Uponor).
Closing the loop for PE-Xa recycling
VP, Sustainability and RegulatoryAffairs, Ilari Aho starts by noting that currently, PE-Xa waste is primarily utilised through energy recovery or as secondary filler material in certain other pipe products. These uses do not, however, represent true circularity or add significant value from a sustainability perspective.
The LCA results Ilari Aho presented at the conference on 15-17 September 2025 in Poland show that the climate impact of chemical recycling is lower compared to those of incineration, but estimated burden allocated to recycled raw materials have significant influence on the results. Since the amount of available PE-Xa pipe scrap is limited, hypothetical future scenarios in which a higher share of recyclable post-industrial PE-Xa pipe waste would become available, were evaluated too.
With its project partners Wastewise, Neste and Borealis, GF has already succeeded in demonstrating manufacturing pipes using chemically recycled PE-Xa as raw material. Before widespread adoption of this process route, however, a more comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) was required to ensure that this technology is environmentally viable.
Climate impacts and life cycle assessment
The LCA study conducted within the project evaluated the climate impacts of chemically recycled PE-Xa compared to virgin raw material and incineration. Results indicate a positive carbon footprint benefit of chemical recycling but also demonstrate the influence of the energy-intensive nature of the chemical recycling process and how current LCA methodologies allocate the environmental burdens. The project also considered scenarios involving the use of other waste streams, such as construction waste, which could increase the environmental benefit.
Methodological challenges and regulatory considerations
A significant challenge identified is the current rules and standards for life cycle analysis. Due to allocation methods, the carbon footprint benefit of chemical recycling can be diluted or lost when assigned to other product streams. In some cases, chemical recycling may be calculated as less beneficial than using fossil raw materials. The results stimulate discussion about whether these allocation rules should be reconsidered when establishing lifecycle standards, with the intention of indirectly influencing future regulations and LCA practices.
Technical achievements and future prospects
The technical pilot conducted with Wastewise, Neste and Borealis confirms that PE-Xa waste can be recycled into new pipes, closing the loop and offering a positive environmental impact. However, high cost remains as the main barrier to large-scale commercial implementation. As a truly valuable outcome of the project, Ilari Aho considers the active involvement of all value chain stakeholders and how they shared crucial, and even confidential data to achieve meaningful results. Partners in this project have contributed essential primary data for this work, which makes the results relevant. The project is set to continue until the end of 2025, with GF focusing on binding carbon in long-life pipe products and VTT conducting a literature review on the topic.
Recommendations and future directions
The project sees high potential in using bio-based and chemically recycled raw materials for durable, long-lifetime products such as building and infrastructure applications. In long-lived applications, carbon is bound for a longer period, which contributes very strongly to sustainability goals.
Ilari Aho concludes: “The Circular plastic pipes project has demonstrated technical feasibility and some environmental benefits for closed-loop PE-Xa recycling. Nevertheless, methodological challenges in life cycle assessments and regulatory frameworks must be addressed to fully realise the potential of chemical recycling.” The project continues to work towards these goals, collaborating across the entire value chain to drive innovation in sustainable infrastructure.
For more information about the event, visit the Plastic Pipes Conference website.
Project partners: GF Building Flow Solutions (formerly known as Uponor), Wastewise Oy, Borealis, Neste and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.