Sustainability & Recycling

At Sioen, we try to be as responsible as possible, both socially as environmentally. We want to contribute to solving the challenges our environment faces today, such as finding alternative sources of energy, using less raw materials, reducing waste and emissions, etc.

Our production process involves waste that is mainly reused and/or recycled. At its end of life (EOL), the technical textiles can also be recycled.

8-step value chain recycling all the way

We recycle raw materials in all the steps of the value chain in producing a Sioen membrane for tensile architecture, tents, halls and façade cladding:

Step 1 : Yarns

On our state-of-the-art Sioen extrusion lines we produce 18.000 tons of high tenacity polyester yarns, with a no-waste policy.

  • We recycle PES waste into new yarns.
  • When our high Sioen quality levels are not achieved, the polyester is upgraded and recycled.

Step 2: Woven fabrics

More than 500 weaving looms are operating 24/7 to manufacture your fabric for tensile architecture applications.

  • The side trims are continuously recycled
  • Residual yarn leftovers are reprocessed

Step 3: Fibres

We produce 14.000 tons of PP with a no-waste policy.

  • We recycle PP waste into new fibres.
  • When our high Sioen quality levels are not achieved, we recycle the batch.

Step 4: Films

Our calendering line produces films and foils with a zero-waste tolerance:

  • Every polymer is recycled, no loss whatsoever.
  • When our high Sioen quality levels are not achieved, we recycle the batch.

Step 5: Pigment pastes & cleaning agents

While producing our Sioen pigment pastes and colouring solutions, we recycle and reuse all of our cleaning agents. The rest paste is accumulated and used in special batches for ground layers for third party products, such as mud flaps.

Step 6: Our direct coating process, with an annual capacity of 60 million m²

  • We recycle the cleaning agents we use for cleaning our tubs (white spirit) in a closed circuit.
  • PVC residue is reused and recycled offline.
  • Air purification installations purify the emissions and generate energy for the direct coating production line (i.e. for heating the ovens).

Step 7: Our online coating process

  • We recycle the cleaning agents we use for cleaning our tubs (white spirit) in a closed circuit.
  • PVC residue is reused in the production of rubber mats and pond foils.

Step 8: In packaging and transportation

  • We recycle our packaging film
  • We work with wooden pallets for transport, repair them and recycle them if repair is no longer possible.

End product recycling

Our coated technical textiles are engineered to last longer. We build our fabrics so that they can easily be repaired. When at the end of its initially intended life, it often gets a second life as a base fabric for a.o. bags or tarpaulins to cover wood or other stacked things that need to be kept dry.

When the time comes that the coated fabric is definitely end-of-life, there are various options.