Pearl Group revolutionises recycling with 420 million PET bottle waste initiative

United Arab Emirates, 22 October 2025: Pearl Group, a global leader in polyurethane systems, has unveiled a pioneering initiative to upcycle PET bottles for use in its systems. With this innovative approach, Pearl repurposes plastic waste by integrating shredded PET bottles into its polyester production, creating advanced insulation materials with improved environmental performance. Pearl aims to reuse the equivalent of 420 million bottles annually once fully implemented. It has already delivered its first commercial batch and is rolling it out across its operations.

This ambitious project reinforces Pearl’s commitment to sustainable innovation while setting new benchmarks for the industry. The initiative will directly contribute to environmental sustainability over many decades by repurposing what would otherwise be waste into materials that will significantly improve energy efficiency in construction and other applications. This helps mitigate the broader impact of plastic pollution while providing long-lasting environmental benefits through enhanced product performance, such as increased flame retardancy and greater energy efficiency.

Leslie Gyertson, chief operating officer at Pearl Group, emphasised the significance of the initiative: “Buildings account for roughly 30 percent of global CO₂ emissions, and up to half of these emissions can be avoided through proper insulation. By providing systems and solutions, such as sandwich panels, spray foam, and insulation boards, that enhance the energy efficiency of the built environment, we enable our customers to actively participate in mitigating climate change. Foam insulation that incorporates waste PET bottles achieves an even greater impact. It’s not just recycling — it’s upcycling.”

Martin Kruczinna, CEO of Pearl Group, commented on the broader significance of the initiative: “At Pearl, we believe that becoming a global player comes with a global responsibility. Addressing climate change requires bold action, and we’re proud to be an agent of change in this space. Insulation plays a crucial role in reducing energy consumption and cutting CO₂ emissions, and by integrating recycled PET bottles into our systems, we are delivering tangible benefits without sacrificing quality. This initiative demonstrates how we can create innovative, commercially viable solutions that benefit our customers, communities, and the planet.”

This is the latest development in Pearl’s commitment to delivering tangible environmental benefits and reducing carbon emissions. Pearl’s CO₂ board, launched in 2023, is a cutting-edge digital progress counter that provides real-time data on the CO₂ savings achieved through Pearl’s insulation products. Certified by TÜV Rheinland, the counter helps stakeholders visualise the impact of adopting sustainable building materials. In addition to recycling PET bottles, Pearl is striving to replace petrochemical-produced raw materials with ecological alternatives derived from vegetable biomass and other renewable sources.

Media contact:

Louise Collins
Head of Communications
louise.collins@pearlpolyurethane.com