From waste to resource: How Combi Wear Parts prepares for a more circular future
Faced with tightening environmental regulations and a dramatic increase in landfill costs, Combi Wear Parts is turning a challenge into a long-term opportunity. Through a partnership with Owens Corning Paroc and new on-site reclaimer technology, the company is transforming used sand from waste into value – cutting emissions, reducing costs, and gaining flexibility for the future.
In 2028, new EU directives will require foundries that handle more than 10,000 tons of molding sand per year to recycle at least 80 %. While Combi Wear Parts currently operates below that threshold – around 4,000 tons annually – the company is already adapting to what’s coming and using it as a driver for improvement.
“We already recycle around 70% of our olivine sand, but we knew we could do more. When the landfill fee sharply increased, we had to move quickly,” says Emma Sundqvist, COO at Combi Wear Parts and lead for the sand recycling initiative.
A win-win collaboration with Paroc
The first major step was a collaboration with insulation manufacturer Paroc. From mid-2025, all of Combi Wear Parts’ used olivine sand will be delivered to Paroc, where it becomes a raw material in the production of stone wool insulation – replacing virgin sand.
“This partnership means we avoid unnecessary disposal, and Paroc gains access to a sustainable input material,” says Sundqvist. “It’s a practical example of industrial symbiosis where both parties benefit.”
The collaboration follows the principles of the Framework for strategic sustainable development (FSSD), with measurable benefits:
- Environmental: Reduces the need to extract virgin sand and helps preserve biodiversity.
- Emissions: Eliminates landfill transport, lowering nitrogen oxide and dust emissions.
- Workplace Health: Removes the need to handle dusty, used sand at disposal sites.
- Learning & Engagement: Builds internal knowledge and empowers employees to contribute to sustainability goals.
In-house sand reclamation
In parallel, Combi Wear Parts has signed an agreement with Finnish company Resand to lease an on-site sand reclaimer. This unit uses thermal treatment to remove binders and regenerate sand, enabling reuse rates of up to 95%.
“With the reclaimer, we’ll be able to reduce our purchases of new sand and lessen our dependence on specific suppliers,” Sundqvist explains. “It’s about doing what makes sense – environmentally, technically, and economically.”
While olivine sand is on track toward full reuse, another challenge remains: shell sand. This type of sand comes pre-coated with binder, which makes it more difficult to clean and reuse internally. Today, it accounts for roughly 3,000 of the 4,000 tons of sand that go to landfill each year. Combi Wear Parts is currently testing a solution who can strip and recoat the sand, potentially closing the loop.
“It’s a more complex process, but we’re exploring real alternatives,” says Sundqvist. “If successful, this would allow us to reduce our landfill even further and treat all our sand as a reusable resource.”
A cross-functional effort for long-term resilience
The initiative is supported by a cross-functional internal team. Environmental management oversees compliance and emissions, quality control ensures the reclaimed sand meets technical standards, and production engineers are preparing for the equipment integration.
This isn’t something one person can solve. It’s a coordinated effort across departments – and that’s what makes it sustainable, both practically and in the long term,” says Sundqvist.
The sand recycling initiative is part of a broader effort to prepare for future regulations, reduce environmental impact, and take more responsibility for material flows.
With the Paroc collaboration underway and the in-house reclaimer on the way, we’re making clear, tangible progress. We’re not just reacting – we’re building for the long term,” Sundqvist concludes.
