Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Belgium: Knauf Insulation has launched its 2020 Annual Review. Europe, Middle East and Asia management committee member Jean-Claude Carlin said, “The global pandemic has put our people and our values of challenge.create.care. firmly in the spotlight this year.”

The company said that it navigated continuous challenges by ensuring staff and customers were ’As Safe As Home.’ It implemented plans to achieve its new ‘For a Better World’ sustainability strategy under the headings ‘Putting People First,’ ’Achieving Zero Carbon,’ ’Delivering a Circular Economy’ and ’Creating Better Buildings.’ The last includes the company’s plans for a new Eco-Design tool and efforts to drive the European Commission’s ‘Renovation Wave.’ The producer also reduced carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per cubic metre of product by 23% between 2010 and 2019.

Carlin said, “These milestones will keep our sustainability journey on track and ensure that we are all responsible for delivering success not leaving problems for the next generation. These milestones are an exciting challenge that I am confident will bring out the best in everyone. I look forward to reporting positive progress next year.”

UK: The UK government plans to adopt the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her review of building regulations and fire safety published following the Grenfell Tower fire in mid-2017. Other commitments the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has made include creating a new regulatory and accountability framework to provide greater oversight of the industry and introducing clearer standards and guidance, including establishing a new Standards Committee to advise on construction product and system standards and regulations. It says it will place residents at the heart of the new system, with new routes for engagement and redress, and that it wants to help create a culture change and a more responsible building industry. In addition to setting out its plans to implement the changes called for by Hackitt, the government says that a full review of fire safety guidance within building regulations has also been launched.