Superglass, one of the UK’s leading glass mineral wool insulation manufacturers, is officially scrapping white pallets from its supply chain as part of its ambitious sustainability commitments by becoming an early adopter of the recovery, repair and reuse scheme, The Pallet LOOP.
From early April, Superglass’ cured glass mineral wool insulation products will start to be distributed on The Pallet LOOP’s distinctive green pallets, which are designed to be collected and put back into the building materials supply chain again and again.
The Pallet LOOP, (part of BSW Group), is helping UK construction cut its consumption of timber for pallet production, reduce waste and improve its sustainability credentials. Every year, 20 million new pallets are manufactured for use in the sector, with most skipped or scrapped (~90%). The Pallet LOOP’s service-orientated model is shifting the dial on pallet waste, replacing the sale of traditional ‘white’ pallets with a range of reusable pallets that are typically up to 25% stronger than standard pallets and have a carbon footprint that is up to 40% lower. The Pallet LOOP also incentivises returns with a PayBack of up to £4 on every green LOOP pallet collected for reuse.
Superglass provides its products to homeowners, specifiers, housebuilders, installers and merchants. The firm’s manufacturing facility in Stirling is one of Europe’s most advanced, using lean production techniques to minimise waste and making insulation to order.
Superglass glass mineral wool insulation products can save more than 200 times the energy typically used in creation and transportation. Additionally, the glass mineral wool insulation is made from up to 84% recycled glass content, has a BRE green rating of A+, and has no Ozone-Depleting Potential and Global Warming Potential. All Superglass products are also deemed non-combustible with a fire classification of Euroclass A1, which is the highest possible rating, when tested to BS EN 13501-1 reaction to fire.
Etex Group, which acquired Superglass in 2023, has also signed the United Nations Global Compact, prioritising its sustainable development goals (SDG) to meet targets set for 2030. Under the voluntary initiative, members commit to supporting a precautionary approach to environmental challenges, undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility and encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Theresa McLean, Etex UK Insulation Leader, said: “Having the opportunity to reduce hundreds of tonnes of waste within our supply chain made joining The Pallet LOOP an easy decision for us. By partnering with The Pallet LOOP, we can, crucially, lower the amount of construction waste that goes to landfill.
“Schemes like The Pallet LOOP are vital for organisations like ours because they’re creating the kind of circular economy model that is urgently required to protect the planet, which is exactly what we’re committed to supporting as part of our sustainability efforts here at Superglass.
“We’ve always been a sustainably-minded organisation, committed to reducing waste and saving valuable resources, but as an industry, we can, and need to, do more. Joining The Pallet LOOP scheme is the perfect way for us to mark the start of 2025 as we continue to bolster our sustainability efforts throughout the year and beyond, while delivering excellent services to our customers across the UK.”
Paul Lewis, Founder of The Pallet LOOP, said: “We are delighted to welcome Superglass to The Pallet LOOP. The company’s decision to start transporting their insulation products on our green reusable pallets provides further evidence that The Pallet LOOP is the right thing to do for the construction industry, and the planet.
“It’s an exciting time for everyone linked with The Pallet LOOP. The number of green LOOP pallets being returned for reuse is increasing week on week and, as more green pallets enter the building materials supply chain this year, there will be even more opportunities for pallet recipients to save money, reduce waste and cut their carbon footprint.”
The Pallet LOOP operates a wide network of pallet manufacturing and pallet collection hubs in conjunction with Scott Pallets. Since its green LOOP pallets launched in May 2024, The Pallet LOOP estimates it has helped the construction sector reduce wood waste by around 9,500 tonnes. The use of its reusable pallets also means an estimated 13,077 cubic metres of timber has been freed up for other longer-term carbon storage applications*.
For more information, visit Superglass’ dedicated Pallet LOOP page.