Rewindo: Significant Increase in PVC Recycling Volumes

New figures from Rewindo Significant Increase in PVC Recycling Volumes

2026-10-15 Source: Press Release Melanie Ehrhardt 3 min Reading Time

Good news for the recycling of used PVC windows in Germany: Rewindo achieved a 32.3 percent increase in the volume of recycled material in 2025. The company reports that this is the highest growth rate to date since its founding in the summer of 2002.

PVC recycling is on the rise: The volume increased to 141,595 metric tons in 2025.(Bild: PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay) — PVC recycling is on the rise: The volume increased to 141,595 metric tons in 2025.
(Bild: PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay)

Good news for the recycling of used PVC windows in Germany: In 2025, Rewindo achieved a 32.3 percent increase in the volume of recycled material, marking the highest growth rate since its founding in the summer of 2002.

The numbers at a glance:

In the post-consumer sector, 58,358 metric tons of used PVC windows, roller shutters, and related products were recorded (compared to 44,109 metric tons in 2024).
A total of 83,237 metric tons of production and processing waste (post-industrial) was generated.
The total amount of recycled material thus rose from 131,000 metric tons in 2024 to 141,595 metric tons in 2025.

"In this way, we are making a significant national contribution toward achieving the VinylPlus recycling targets, the voluntary commitment by the European PVC industry,” said Rewindo Managing Director Michael Vetter.

The recycling rate rose to 94.5 percent in 2025

At the same time, the Rewindo system has succeeded in roughly halving the amount of waste PVC windows incinerated at waste-to-energy plants compared to 2024. “This is particularly significant in light of the federal government’s environmental policy goals, as reflected in the current provisions of the Circular Economy Act and the Commercial Waste Ordinance, and demonstrates that material-based recycling of old windows is very much in line with current trends,” said Vetter.

This was accompanied by a 2025 recycling rate of 94.5 percent (2024: 87 percent) of all trackable and available used windows—an increase of 7.5 percent. The report on recycling volumes for 2025 was once again prepared by Conversio and independently reviewed and audited by Ecocycle.

Energy Conservation and Reducing the Carbon Footprint

According to Vetter, the material cycle for used PVC windows not only contributes to the overall conservation of resources but also specifically helps save energy and reduce the carbon footprint. Based on a study by Myclimate for Rewindo, one metric ton of recyclate results in savings of two metric tons of CO2 and 14,600 kWh of electricity.

On an annualized basis for 2025, Rewindo and its partners saved 283,200 metric tons of CO2 and over two million kWh of electrical energy. Of the recycled materials, 70 percent were used primarily in the production of new PVC window profiles, 20 percent went toward the manufacture of PVC pipes, and 10 percent were used in other profile applications.

Continuous Expansion of the Rewindo Partner Network

Vetter attributes the growth rates to several factors that are said to have contributed to the upward trend: First, an increase in energy-efficiency renovations and demolition projects. This is because housing companies are placing greater emphasis on their existing housing stock due to the currently challenging market conditions in the new construction sector.

However, the steady expansion of the Rewindo network and the extensive recycling partnerships along the PVC window value chain were also crucial. In addition, the company succeeded in expanding the number of drop-off locations for small or very small quantities of used PVC windows to over 100 nationwide. This drop-off system, combined with the recycling partners’ pickup system, significantly increased the available volume of used windows.

Future Potential Driven by Regulatory Requirements and Climate Goals

Rewindo expects further moderate growth in the coming years, though it does not anticipate achieving growth rates as high as those seen in 2025. Vetter: “The fact is, however, that the need for energy-efficient retrofits in the existing building stock remains very high and offers significant potential for the future.” This trend is being accelerated by legal requirements and the climate targets set by policymakers. “The PVC window industry will also benefit from this, as its products offer a comprehensive solution for the transformation of the existing building stock,” Vetter concludes.

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