Bio-attributed PVC-U
The path to sustainable materials
Why we should take action.
Taking responsibility together.
CO2 footprint in Germany
10.3 tons of CO2 are emitted per capita in Germany. A global per capita emission of less than 1 ton of CO2 per year would be climate-friendly.
(Source: Federal Environment Agency 2024)
What does one ton of CO2 correspond to?
A beech tree must grow for 80 years to absorb one ton of CO2. This means that each year, a beech tree sequesters 12.5 kg of the greenhouse gas.
(Source: Handelsblatt 2009)
Bringing about change together
A shift in mindset is required to achieve long-term change. We are taking this step consistently, particularly with regard to the materials used in our products. We rely on bio-attributed PVC-U.
What is it?
Bio-attributed PVC-U as a sustainable material
As pioneers in sustainable infrastructure, we rely on bio-attributed PVC-U. Generally, PVC-U is made from 57% rock salt and 43% ethylene. The latter consists of carbon and hydrogen and can be derived either from fossil sources or from renewable plant-based sources. With bio-attributed PVC-U, we are focusing on renewable raw materials; this is implemented via a mass balance approach. The bio-based and fossil raw materials can be processed together. For every product purchased that is made from or contains bio-attributed PVC-U, we purchase and process the corresponding quantity of bio-attributed PVC-U in our production.
In this way, we reduce the proportion of conventional fossil resources in our production chain.
How does the principle of mass balance work?
Will there be any change to the usual quality?
No!
No, there are no technical compromises in terms of the quality or performance of the products. The use of bio-attributed PVC-U is a fast and effective way to transition supply chains in terms of their CO2 emissions. In this context, the term ‘drop-in plastics’ is also used.
High-performance.
Future-proof.
Where is it used?
Which Funke products are manufactured using bio-attributed PVC-U?
Since May 2024, we have been offering the Funke Plant2Pipe® pipe system as an alternative to the tried-and-tested HS® sewer pipe system. The use of 100% bio-attributed PVC-U reduces the pipe’s carbon footprint by 80% compared with conventional HS® pipes when assessed on a cradle-to-gate basis (A1–A3; DIN EN 15804; reference years 2015 and 2023).
Save up to 80 per cent CO2eq with Funke Plant2Pipe®.*
*CO2eq reduction calculated as a comparative analysis between the use of conventional PVC-U and the use of bio-attributed PVC-U in the respective product (life stages A1–A3; DIN EN 15804: base years 2015 and 2023: mass balance method)
In addition to Funke Plant2Pipe®, we have also been using bio-attributed PVC-U for service connections since January 2025. All sewer connections at Funke consist of various components and materials to meet the high technical requirements. The respective PVC content in the PVC-U components is replaced by mass-balanced bio-attributed PVC-U.
How much CO2eq is this saving in the property connections?
By using renewable carbon sources in the supply of raw materials, around 90% of CO2eq emissions are avoided in the upstream supply chain. Through the use of biomass, CO2 is removed from the carbon cycle and bound in the material in the form of carbon atoms. Unlike a fossil-based product, no ‘new’ carbon is introduced into the cycle from deep layers of the earth.
The amount of CO2eq saved compared with the fossil-based product variant varies depending on the respective material content, connection type, nominal diameter of the main pipe and type of domestic connection.
The savings range from approximately 50 to 70% when assessed on a cradle-to-gate basis (DIN EN 15804; A1–A3).
FABEKUN® Junction
DN/OD 160 to concrete pipe DN 400
60 %
CO2eq reduction*
CONNEX Junction
DN/OD 160 to a CONNEX pipe DN/OD 500
70 %
CO2eq reduction*
HS® Complete Saddle Set
SN12 with VARIO socket DN/OD 160
50 %
CO2eq reduction*
Pipe Liner Lateral Connection System CONNEX
DN/OD 200 to a lined vitrified clay pipe DN 500
60 %
CO2eq reduction*
*All percentages relating to CO2eq reductions are based on a comparison with the fossil-based product variant.
Here’s what Funke has to say
We believe in bio-attributed PVC-U as a sustainable material
Christian Funke
“Due to its technical properties, PVC-U is a suitable material for us to use in gravity sewers. The material’s excellent long-term properties and the possibility of recycling PVC-U are important characteristics for us. By using bio-attributed PVC-U, we also take advantage of the opportunity to allocate a defined proportion of bio-based raw materials to the manufacturing process in our carbon footprint calculations.”
Matthias Funke
“For our high-quality civil engineering products, the technical properties of the material used are a key factor. The use of bio-attributed PVC-U does not result in any compromise in the quality or performance of our products.”
Funke Kunststoffe GmbH
Siegenbeckstraße 15
59071 Hamm-Uentrop
Tel.: +49 2388/3071-0
E-Mail: info@funkegruppe.de
You can find our official website at:
www.funkegruppe.com