Original article by: BUILDER Online
The new, patented recycling process reduces the shingles' raw material requirements without any loss of performance.
GAF, a Standard Industries company, has created and patented a new manufacturing process that recycles waste shingle material into the material mix for new asphalt roofing shingles.
The recycled material is drawn from post-consumer and post-manufacture waste, which would otherwise have been taken to a landfill. During its tests, GAF was able to reclaim more than 90% of the waste shingle material by weight, and demonstrated its ability to manufacture new UL-certified shingles containing up to 15% recycled material.
"This latest innovation from GAF represents the first major step toward a circular economy for asphalt roofing shingles," says Jim Schnepper, president of GAF. "We envision a future where every homeowner, when replacing their roof, can do so with high-quality, affordable shingles made with recycled asphalt."
GAF is investing more than $100 million to bring this technology to a commercial scale, including a 2021 pilot operation for further research and development. The company expects to determine the highest amount of recycled asphalt that can be used to make shingles that meet the company’s standards.
"This innovation has the potential to reduce a significant waste stream in the U.S. and represents an important advance within the roofing industry," says Tad Radzinski, certification officer at GreenCircle Certified, a third-party certification organization. "Through the recovery of valuable end-of-life roofing materials, GAF is setting the course to reduce environmental impacts across the shingle product life cycle and provide a truly circular, sustainable solution for roofing products." gaf.com/en-us