ReCB Iowa launches upgraded Des Moines facility for carton recycling

USA – ReCB Iowa, a subsidiary of ReCB, has opened an upgraded circular manufacturing facility in Des Moines, Iowa, enhancing the U.S. carton recycling infrastructure. 

The facility, the first operating site of the ReCB joint venture, produces Everboard, a roof covering material for the construction industry made from post-consumer food and beverage cartons and other packaging materials. 

This initiative reduces reliance on virgin materials and supports efforts to minimize landfill waste while advancing the circular economy.

The joint venture, comprising Elof Hansson USA, Upcycling Group, and Lisa Tech, acquired the facility in early 2025 and invested in advanced technology and equipment to improve efficiency and production capacity. 

According to company projections, the Des Moines site will upcycle approximately 10,000 tons of cartons annually once fully operational by September 2025. 

“We’re supplying the construction sector with premium, sustainable materials while conserving natural resources and cutting carbon emissions,” said Jan Rayman, ReCB’s managing director.

The facility employs a proprietary process that transforms gable-top and aseptic cartons into durable, moisture- and mold-resistant building materials without using water, formaldehyde adhesives, or hazardous chemicals. 

Instead, it relies on heat and pressure to produce high-performance products, including Everboard, which offers a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials.

ReCB is also developing a second facility in Lodi, California, set to open later in 2025. 

This expansion will further strengthen domestic carton recycling infrastructure by connecting recycling programs with sustainable end markets. 

Jordan Fengel, executive director of the Carton Council, emphasized the importance of public participation, stating that continued recycling of food and beverage cartons is critical to keeping them out of landfills and reintegrating them into the market.

A recent report highlighted that the Des Moines facility, located at 2425 Hubbell Avenue, has an annual processing capacity of 12,000 tons of upcycled feedstock, producing up to 12 million square feet of sustainable building materials. 

The site, originally established in 2011 as The ReWall Company and later acquired by Continuus Materials in 2018, was taken over by ReCB Iowa in 2025. 

This upgrade follows the closure of the Continuus Materials facility in November 2024, which displaced 32 workers, marking a significant step in revitalizing local recycling efforts and creating new jobs.

The Des Moines facility’s launch represents a key milestone in expanding sustainable manufacturing and recycling infrastructure across the U.S., with the potential to drive demand for recycled cartons and support environmentally friendly construction practices.

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