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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationManufacturing a new tomorrow
Manufacturing a new tomorrow
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HIA content team
hia.com.au/housing
The changing requirements to meet higher building and energy standards in the residential building sector is certainly a hot topic that is being discussed in the industry right now. The industry is working through solutions to meet the new 7-star energy efficiency requirements as part of the National Construction Code (NCC) 2022.
These requirements will see changes to the design and construction of houses and apartments, where the correct selection of building materials is critical.
Innovative manufacturer, Kingspan Insulation, is working towards clever solutions for roofs, walls, and floors to help builders meet these updated requirements. Housing takes a look at two ways Kingspan Insulation is working towards a better built environment.
Strategy
To achieve a better built environment, Kingspan has committed to a 10-year global sustainability program, ‘Planet Passionate’. This program aims to tackle three big global challenges: climate change, circularity, and protection of the natural world through advanced materials, building systems, and digital technologies.
To meet these challenges, Kingspan has set 12 ambitious targets in four key focus areas:
- Energy
- Carbon
- Circularity
- Water
Warrick Batt, Kingspan Insulation Australia Managing Director, says, ‘We’re not just in the business of manufacturing building products; we’re dedicated to a more sustainable future. Our commitment to environmental responsibility is exemplified through our ‘Planet Passionate’ program, where we strive to make a positive impact on the planet.
‘We firmly believe that economic success should go hand in hand with ecological responsibility. Through innovation and sustainable practices, we aim to build a better future.’
In Australia, the Kingspan Insulation business recently switched to 100 per cent renewable electricity. The transition will save 300 tons of carbon per annum. In addition, th Somerton manufacturing facility utilises a 750-kW solar system. This generated electricity is then used during the manufacturing of its Kingspan Kooltherm product range.
This solar energy is also used by three electric vehicle chargers that have been recently installed. The chargers will serve the company’s car fleet, which is transitioning to 100 per cent fully electric by 2027. These chargers will also encourage Kingspan Insulation stakeholders, customers, and clients to switch to electric transport, as they will receive clean, free charging on site.
In addition, Kingspan Insulation is working on a range of circularity projects, including incorporating post-consumer recycled content into its products and eliminating any waste to landfill by 2030. Finally, the four rainwater harvesting tanks at the Somerton manufacturing facility help reduce the company’s mains water use.
Products
When it comes to products, Kingspan Insulation is on a journey to understand and reduce embodied carbon. To do this, a two-prong approach is taken. Firstly, Life Cycle Assessments are performed, and secondly, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are produced. This process allows Kingspan Insulation to view the entire lifecycle of the product, find any potential environmental impacts, and devise strategies to reduce these impacts.
Danny Leahy, Kingspan Insulation Sustainability, Innovation & Commercialisation Officer, says, ‘We are very much aware that we simply cannot draw the boundary line at reducing operational carbon. We are also on a journey to reduce the embodied carbon of our products, and EPDs are an important tool for us on this journey.’
In early 2023, Kingspan Insulation published their first EPD, which covers the Kooltherm K10 Soffit Boards and K17 Insulated Plasterboard. The business is now working on their second EPD, covering Kooltherm K3 Floorboard, K8 Cavity Board, K12 Framing Board and KoolDuct, which will become available in 2024.
By producing these documents, Kingspan Insulation aims to provide transparent data about the environmental performance of its products and enable specifiers and other stakeholders to make informed purchasing decisions.
For more information visit Kingspan Insulation.
The insulation innovators
While the NCC 2022 and 7-star requirements are now in focus, the need for increased thermal performance in residential buildings is another priority in our industry. The development of the code has been an emphasis on the use of insulation to improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs.
The use of insulation on walls and floors is an essential component of any building design. It plays a crucial role in achieving a higher NatHERS energy assessment rating of buildings. Kingspan Insulation’s Kooltherm products are a great fit for the new NCC 2022 building standards.
Its thermal insulation properties perfectly meet the needs of the ever-increasing energy-efficiency performance requirements of the Australian Building Code.
For more information, call the Kingspan Insulation Technical Services team on 1300 247 235.
Brand promotion: This article was compiled with contributions from Kingspan
First published on 27 November 2023