The "UFH RE-cycling" project was initiated against the background of growing scarcity of raw materials and the resulting increasing demand for secondary raw materials from UFH, the market leader among Austrian collection and recycling systems, and Remondis, one of the world's largest private service companies in the water and recycling industry based in Lünen / Germany, started in 2008.

After eight months of construction, Europe's most modern refrigerator recycling plant was officially opened in February 2009 in Kematen / Ybbs .

On a property of 15,000 square meters, almost 300,000 cooling devices per year, that is around 1,000 devices per day, can be processed in 3-shift operation. Technology at the highest level enables the recycling of almost 95% of the materials as secondary raw materials for new products. Over 400 kg of CFCs and other refrigeration or refrigeration units are used per day. Propellant recovered and properly disposed of.

Not least because of the particularly environmentally friendly cryocondensation process used in Austria for the first time, which is suitable for the simultaneous processing of CFC and non-CFC devices, UFH RE-cycling GmbH was able to win the coveted “Daphne - Spirit of Environment ”in gold.

The success of the facility, which has helped Austria save a good 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 since the start of operation, has meanwhile also got around internationally: UFH RE-cycling GmbH regularly receives delegations from all over the world.

UFH RE-cycling GmbH also celebrated an anniversary in 2017: by the end of August 2017, 2 million cooling devices had been recycled professionally and in an environmentally friendly manner.

Corporate philosophy

In 2008 the UFH and Remondis founded the UFH RE-cycling GmbH and set a milestone in Europe with the direct cooperation of a collection and recycling system and a recycler: The UFH as the Austrian market leader in the collection and recycling of waste electrical equipment and Remondis as one of the largest in the world private service companies in the water and circular economy.

Most modern refrigerator recycling plant in Europe

UFH RE-cycling GmbH has been operating Europe's most modern refrigerator recycling plant in Kematen / Ybbs since 2009. The combination of a collection and recycling system and a recycler sets new standards in the responsible handling of pollutant capture and recovery of secondary raw materials. The dismantling of cooling devices takes place here according to the highest environmental and quality standards. Up to 400 kg of CFC and HC-containing coolants and propellants are recovered and properly disposed of in the plant every day. Around 85% of the materials in a cooling device can be recovered and processed as secondary raw materials in the form of iron, aluminum, copper and plastic.

Responsibility for the environment, customers and employees

It is part of the self-image of UFH RE-cycling GmbH to continuously improve the process of refrigerator recycling: on the one hand with regard to the environmental impact at the site and on the other hand to make a significant contribution to maintaining a livable environment in Austria. We are responsible for the environment. Compliance with the applicable environmental regulations as well as all other legal and official requirements relevant to the location is part of this self-image.

Customers - quality, fairness, partnership

This is how we understand the cooperation with our customers. You come first, we focus on quality and fair long-term relationships. The basis for this is compliance with binding obligations and the integrated management system, the continuous improvement of which contributes to an increase in the quality level and customer satisfaction.

Employees - dynamic and strong together

This is how we understand cooperation in the company. We are dynamic and strong as a team. Every day we create a working atmosphere that is based on respect and respect. We support our employees in achieving their personal goals and wishes in line with our corporate goals. We take the concerns and suggestions of our employees seriously and encourage active participation in the improvement process at UFH RE-cycling GmbH.