We’re thrilled to have won Construction Week’s Sustainability Initiative of the Year award

Pearl’s initiative to upcycle up to 420 million waste PET plastic bottles by using them in our polyester production systems has won “Sustainability Initiative of the Year’’ at the 21^st annual Construction Week Awards.

The accolade honours pioneering strategies that reduce environmental impact in construction. We’re pleased the judges recognised this initiative as a testament to Pearl’s exceptional contribution to the Middle East’s construction industry and a reflection of our commitment to industry best practice and innovation.

The recycled PET 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.

Buildings account for roughly one third of global CO₂ emissions, and up to half of these can be avoided through proper insulation. By providing systems and solutions that enhance the energy efficiency of the built environment, Pearl can help its customers actively participate in mitigating climate change. Products such as sandwich panels, spray foam, and insulation boards, certified to reduce CO₂ emissions, demonstrate the real-world impact of these efforts.

Upcycling this waste material involves transforming PET bottles into high-quality polyesters through a chemical process that heats materials to 230 degrees Celsius, creating a new product with superior characteristics. This pioneering initiative aims to upcycle up to 420 million PET bottles annually into the most effective insulation material in the world, conserving CO₂ emissions for about five decades.

The awards article by Construction Week is here: REVEALED: All winners and highly commended from the Construction Week Middle East Awards 2025