Green building

ReWall to double its manufacturing capacity

The ReWall Co., Des Moines, Iowa, has announced it is doubling its manufacturing capacity of roofing products and other construction materials made from recycled food and beverage cartons.

The manufacturer of green building materials says this move is in response to growing demand for its products.

Founded in 2008, ReWall converts cartons into sustainable building materials through its low energy, ecofriendly recycling technology. In July 2017, ReWall installed new equipment to expand the capacity of its manufacturing facility in Des Moines. This increases its need for recycled cartons from about 200 tons to 600 tons per month.

“We have discovered that the unique properties of cartons, such as strength, durability and resistance to mold and moisture, make cartons an ideal material for creating high-quality building materials,” Jan Rayman, CEO of ReWall, says. “With demand growing for our products, our focus is on expansion and identifying additional North American locations for our next facility.”

Sharing a joint interest to increase carton recycling, the Carton Council of North America says it has been a longtime supporter of ReWall with the goal to expand carton recycling nationwide by growing infrastructure for recycling aseptic and gable-top cartons. The Carton Council has worked with ReWall to provide financial and technical support to help expand its end market for used cartons.

The company says the process uses no water, formaldehyde glues or hazardous chemicals. No waste is generated, and every part of the carton is incorporated into the finished products, which include roof cover board, exterior sheathing, wallboard and floor underlayment. The life cycle of the cartons will continue as the building materials also can be recycled, ReWall says.

There are 800 half-pint cartons in each 4-inch-by-8½-inch roof cover board. This means that each truckload of finished ReWall products prevents nearly 600,000 cartons from going to landfills, according to the company.