Insulation industry news from Global Insulation
UK: Testing provider the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has informed Kingspan and Saint-Gobain subsidiary Celotex of its decision to break off its relationship with them due to perceived 'reputational risk.' Insulation supplied by Kingspan (Kooltherm K15 phenolic insulation) and Celotex (RS5000 polyisocyanurate insulation) was present in Grenfell Tower, London, when it burned down in June 2017. 72 people died in the fire. Both producers deny having contributed to the disaster. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry investigated the relationship between each company and the BRE during its inquest into the fire. A final report is currently in preparation following the conclusion of Phase 2 hearings in 2022.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry heard that Kingspan had marketed its Kooltherm K15 panels for general use in high rise construction, relying on tests carried out at a BRE facility with a system involving external fibre cement panels, of a sort not used in Grenfell Tower. Subsequent tests of the product, carried out by Kingspan, included one which resulted in a 'raging inferno.' Meanwhile, Celotex added fire-resistant board to a rig used in testing in 2014, reportedly to increase its products' chances of passing.
Inside Housing News has reported that BRE said “BRE no longer accepts any new work on behalf of Kingspan or Celotex following evidence heard during the course of this inquiry.”
Kingspan clarified that "There is no product performance basis for [BRE's] decision,” adding that its panels had shown zero non-conformities in their most recent audit in December 2022. It said “Independently of BRE, whose certification is regionally focused on the UK and Ireland, Kingspan is certified by the globally recognised insurer testing regime FM Approvals, which carries out annual factory surveillance audits to verify our products comply with its global approval standards."
Settlement reached in Grenfell Tower civil court case
14 April 2023UK: Around 900 people have reached a settlement at the High Court related to civil claims following the fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017. A total settlement figure of Euro170m has been set by the court, according to ITV News. However, the civil claim will have no determination on the ongoing public inquiry into the fire and any potential future criminal charges.
Both cladding company Arconic and insulation producer Celotex have been part of the various civil legal cases. Celotex, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, said that “without admission of liability” it had agreed to make a financial contribution towards the settlement. It added that, “Celotex and the Saint-Gobain Group reaffirm their deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the fire.” Kingspan has also confirmed its involvement in civil cases relating to the fire at Grenfell Tower in a statement reported upon by Building magazine.
UK/Ireland: The UK Housing Secretary Michael Gove has invited Ireland-based Kingspan to enter into discussions over a possible contribution by the company towards fire safety renovations on unsafe buildings across the UK. Following the deadly Grenfell Tower fire of June 2017, extensive UK housing stock was found to be unsafe due to the presence of flammable materials in exterior insulation systems. In an open letter, Gove said “Those companies who do not share our commitment to righting the wrongs of the past must expect to face commercial consequences.”
The Irish Times newspaper has reported that Kingspan previously said that it would contribute to 'an appropriate joint government and industry-wide funding mechanism' for the policy. Kingspan's Kooltherm K15 phenolic insulation accounted for 5% of Grenfell Tower's insulation. Kingspan clarified that it was not responsible for the supply of the insulation used in construction of the tower.