From the beginning of this year, old insulation boards and elements containing F-gases must be treated in such a way that the gases they contain are either recovered or destroyed. The same applies if compounds that deplete the ozone layer have been used in the insulation boards and elements.
The contractor or building owner does not need to know what compound was used as a propellant in the insulation. Instead, they need to determine whether the insulation used in the building is likely to contain fluorinated greenhouse gases or ozone-depleting substances.
The starting point can be the year of construction. If the building was built before 1996, polyurethane and XPS insulations contain the above-mentioned gases with a fairly high degree of certainty and are therefore subject to the treatment obligation. No F-gases or ozone-depleting substances have been used in wool insulations or EPS insulations.
The obligations apply to insulation elements and laminated boards.
F-gases have typically been used as refrigerants, and there have been previous treatment obligations for refrigerants. Treatment obligations for old insulation boards are new.
The processing obligations apply to insulation elements, i.e. combinations of rigid material and foam, and laminated boards, i.e. combinations of foam and a non-rigid layer. A typical example of an insulation element is a cold storage element. Sealing and insulating foams, such as window installation foams, are outside the obligations. The obligation applies not only to projects requiring a permit, but also to smaller renovation and demolition works.
It is possible to deviate from the processing obligations if it is not technically possible to remove the insulation boards from the structures. This must be proven by a document to be drawn up, which must be kept for five years and made available to the authorities upon request. It should be noted that the condition is limited only to technical possibility, i.e. the obligation is valid regardless of the costs. It should also be taken into account that the processing obligations cannot be deviated from for insulation elements.
F-gases must be included in the dismantling survey
In the future, insulation materials containing F-gases or ozone-depleting substances must be taken into account in the demolition survey. At a repair or demolition site, the obligation means separate collection of the relevant fraction and delivery to a facility with an environmental permit. The repair or demolition site may contain elements and insulation boards that are both subject to the treatment obligation and those that are outside of it, if the site has undergone modifications during use.
Waste fractions should be carefully marked. The pieces should be removed as intact as possible and in a size suitable for further processing. For the purpose of waste management planning and demolition work, it is a good idea to find out where and how (in what size pieces) the insulation will be processed.
The new obligations do not prevent reuse in any way. Elements, panels and products containing F-gases or ozone-depleting substances, such as doors, can be reused both in the same and in another location. However, the suitability of the products must always be determined. In order to ensure that the product can be disposed of properly even after the end of its future use, it is worth passing on the information “the product contains F-gases / ozone-depleting substances”.
Treating old insulation helps combat climate change
Stratospheric (upper atmosphere) ozone depletion is one of the nine planetary boundaries. While most planetary boundaries have been exceeded, the situation with ozone depletion is positive in terms of the Earth's carrying capacity, meaning that we are at a so-called safe level. This is thanks to international cooperation and the environmental agreement signed in the 1980s, the Montreal Protocol. The depletion of the ozone layer was halted and has partially recovered in this millennium. The Montreal Protocol is a success story that instills faith in the possibilities of jointly solving environmental issues.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are part of the F-gases, have replaced ozone-depleting substances (CFCs, HCFCs). However, hydrofluorocarbons have a significantly higher global warming potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide. As emissions of these gases increased, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol was negotiated in 2016. Its aim is to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons and contribute to preventing further global warming.
Regarding climate change, another planetary boundary, the situation and current developments are not as positive as ozone depletion, but the planetary boundary has been crossed. It is estimated that a global limitation of HFC compounds could limit further warming by about 0,5 degrees by 2100. Taking care of the processing obligations for old insulation contributes to the mitigation of climate change.
Tuuli Kunnas
Standardization manager, product manager
tuuli.kunnas@rt.fi + 358 40 172 0073Rakennustuoteollisuus RTT ry
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