The Knauf Group and Ritleng create a joint venture dedicated to plaster recycling in France

The joint venture is investing in the gypsum recycling plant currently under construction in Auneuil (Oise, France). Commissioning is scheduled for the end of the first half of 2026. According to Ritleng Revalorisations, this unit will be the largest authorized facility of its kind in Europe. With this second plant, the Ritleng Group will be able to process nearly a third of France's gypsum waste stream.

Following the start-up phase at the Auneuil site, the Knauf plant in Saint-Soupplets (Seine-et-Marne, France) will receive a significant volume of recycled plaster. This collaboration will reduce reliance on natural plaster and support the Knauf Group's sustainability and circular economy objectives.

Martin Brown, Supply Chain Manager of the Knauf Group, states: “This joint venture marks a key step in the deployment of industrial plaster recycling. The partnership with Ritleng Revalorisations and HL Développement guarantees access to high-quality recycled plaster while reducing the environmental footprint across the entire production cycle.”

Industrial performance and technological leadership

Ritleng Revalorisations brings proven industrial expertise and solid technological know-how to the new entity. The company operates a high-capacity recycling process that guarantees optimal quality. Its patented crushing and separation technologies—applied to complex waste from construction and demolition—make it possible to produce high-quality recycled plaster. This expertise allows the company to process both production waste and end-of-life products that would otherwise often be sent to landfill.

Active in the French market for 14 years, Ritleng Revalorisations enters into multi-year raw material supply contracts with the main French waste management operators. This guarantees a regular supply of gypsum waste and, at the same time, the marketing of a clean secondary raw material, intended for reuse by manufacturers of gypsum-based products such as Knauf.

Jean-Luc Ritleng, President of Ritleng Revalorisations, states: "Our advanced recycling technology and experience in processing complex waste streams allow us to supply high-quality recycled plaster on an industrial scale. The alliance with Knauf validates our expertise and will allow us to bring innovative technical solutions to a sector that is expanding internationally."

Impact on the supply chain and sustainability

The joint venture strengthens Knauf's European operations by prioritizing local sourcing and significantly reducing material flows – and therefore CO₂ emissions related to transport. It will secure long-term volumes of recycled gypsum, mitigate the risk of supply disruptions, and optimize cost efficiency through high productivity combined with integrated logistics. Furthermore, the joint venture supports European circular economy directives, naturally reinforcing the position of Knauf and its partners as leaders in sustainable building materials.

Hervé Lepps, President of HL Développement, explains: “This joint venture illustrates our commitment to circular economy solutions. By combining technical expertise and industrial demand, we are creating a scalable model for future growth.”

Expansion prospects

The partners are already evaluating additional projects, including potential expansions in France and internationally. These initiatives will strengthen the joint venture's position as a leader in plaster recycling and promote wider adoption of circular building materials.