The Leicestershire plant will produce ‘stone wool’ insulation using sustainable technologies to keep carbon emissions as low as possible
Saint-Gobain’s first low-carbon plant will be built in Melton Mowbray and is expected to begin production in 2027.
It will be powered by renewable electricity and use equipment such as electric furnaces in production of its insulation. It is expected that the factory will create 50,000 tonnes of stone wool insulation per year, with potential to go up to 100,000 per year later.
The UK needs better home insulation, according to the Climate Change Committee
In February, the Climate Change Committee published its seventh carbon budget, finding that the UK generally needs better home insulation, including for hot water tanks, draught-proofing, loft insulation, and cavity wall insulation.
Loft insulation will be installed in 9% of homes with lofts, and cavity wall insulation will be installed in 16% of homes with cavity walls, meaning that all homes with lofts and 87% of homes with cavity walls will have insulation by the mid-2030’s.
Energy House 1
Saint-Gobain has previously committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Recently, they released a video exploring Energy House 1, a testing facility for sustainable retrofitting of homes, including full climate control, insulation, etc.
Regarding the video, Professor Will Swan, director of Energy House Labs, said: “Energy House 1 offers a unique opportunity to understand the real-world performance of innovative materials in a repeatable, scientifically rigorous way,” said Professor Will Swan. “By working with partners such as British Gypsum and Isover, we’re able to explore how future homes can deliver energy efficiency, comfort and resilience at scale.”
Orla Whelan, customer solutions and portfolio development director at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, said: “The insights being generated at Energy House 1 are helping us to understand the real impact of our products under external pressures that reflect our changing climate.
“This kind of testing is vital if we are to design buildings that not only meet regulatory targets, but also truly support the people who live in them.”
The low-carbon plant will support UK net zero targets
The UK government has set a target to be net zero by 2050, with a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030, as part of the Paris Agreement.
Last year, several bills were announced to work towards net zero targets, including:
- Great British Energy Bill (to set up a publicly owned clean power company to accelerate investment in renewable energy)
- Crown Estate Bill (to remove restrictions and allow for easier investment in public infrastructure
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Revenue Support Mechanism) Bill (to support the production of this fuel)
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