In an era where sustainability is no longer optional, Coretex Group stands out by offering lightweight panels and honeycomb cores that deliver not just performance but also environmental responsibility.
Coretex’s products, such as AluNid aluminium honeycomb, SWAP Kraft paper honeycomb, TimberLite ECO panels, Larcore Aluminium Honeycomb Panels and Starcell Staluflex Aluminium corrugated Panels, combine high strength, low weight, and full recyclability, making them excellent choices for designers and manufacturers seeking green credentials.
Coretex lightweight panel core materials
AluNid Aluminium Honeycomb Core is made from high-quality aluminium and offers high compressive and shear strength in extremely lightweight cores. AluNid is “incombustible and 100% recyclable” and supplied in unexpanded slices to be expanded by the customer and then laminated to a skin of their choice – typically aluminium-based for 100% recyclable.
Coretex Group is one of the major suppliers to the architectural façade and clean room wall industry, where 100% recyclability is a key design factor. Its recyclability and long life help reduce material wastage over the full life cycle of products. AluNid, part of the Alucoil Group, a global aluminium processor, operates a Circular Economy system that is highly sustainable
SWAP Kraft Paper Honeycomb is made from FSC 100% recycled kraft paper and is itself fully recyclable. It is very lightweight (from ~0.5 kg/m² at 10 mm thickness) and provides high rigidity and compressive strength. Because it is combustible and recyclable, SWAP kraft paper honeycomb significantly reduces environmental impact at end of life. Many joinery clients purchase the basic SWAP kraftliner panels (with paper laminated skins) for less adhesive use and fast in-house processing and laminating with their preferred skin choices. Thus, its environmental footprint is substantially lower compared with foams or synthetic cores, both in production and in disposal.
Coretex lightweight panels – ready made
Coretex TimberLite ECO panels are part of the Coretex TimberLite panel range. Coretex TimberLite ECO panels combine MDF or plywood skins with a High-Strength SWAP Paper Honeycomb Core (PHC). These panels are “100% recyclable, combustible and compostable,” and are FSC approved.
Coretex TimberLite ECO panels are up to 80% lighter than equivalent solid timber or plywood/MDF constructions. Their reduced weight offers multiple environmental benefits, including lower transport emissions, less material required, and easier lightweight handling. When their lifecycle ends, they can be combusted or recycled, with minimal residual waste. The use of paper core plus timber skins (from certified sources) further enhances renewability.
Coretex Larcore aluminium honeycomb panels are designed for demanding applications (e.g. marine, rail, architectural, bespoke furniture) with excellent flatness, structural rigidity, fire resistance (A2 rating) and lightweight performance. Like other aluminium honeycomb products, Larcore is 100% recyclable. The aluminium skins and core can be recycled with standard aluminium waste streams. Additionally, its long service life and durability reduce the frequency of replacement, meaning fewer materials are consumed over time.
Coretex Staluflex AL is a sandwich panel utilising a corrugated (grooved) aluminium core between primed aluminium skins. Offering “total recyclability” — its aluminium skins and core allow recycling via standard aluminium waste streams. Its mechanical and environmental credentials include fire behaviour certifications (EN 13501-1 A1, IMO MSC.307(88) naval C, and railway norms such as UNI EN 45545), which support its safe use in regulated sectors. Staluflex AL retains excellent rigidity at low mass, good dimensional stability, broad operating temperature (−25°C to +100°C) and resistance to atmospheric agents. Its manufacture uses aluminium alloys that are among the most recyclable structural metals
Sustainability Summary
Across this product range, the key features are:
- 100% recyclability: Aluminium skins and cores (AluNid, Larcore, Staluflex AL) are all recyclable without loss of material quality. Paper cores (Kraft & TimberLite ECO) are recyclable and/or combustible under controlled conditions.
- Renewable components: Timber and paper from certified sources reduce reliance on fossil or synthetic cores.
- Lightweight design: Lower material usage, reduced transport energy, easier handling.
- Certifications & fire safety: Fire performance (A1, A2, etc.), non-toxic fumes, etc., ensure safe usage and mitigate environmental and health risks in use.
- Long service life: Higher durability means fewer replacements and less downstream waste.
For designers, specifiers, and sustainability assessors, Coretex’s integration of full recyclability, renewable sourcing, light weight, and relevant safety certifications make AluNid Honeycomb, SWAP Kraft Paper Honeycomb, TimberLite ECO panels, Larcore panels, and Staluflex AL panels among the more environmentally responsible lightweight panel / honeycomb core options available today.
