INDUSTRY COMMENT
Understanding standards and implementing the right materials into projects
Paul Beech, general manager of Armatherm, discusses more about the importance of understanding regulations, and identifying when specific materials are required to ensure not only compliance with sustainability standards, but also long-term performance and reliability on site
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egislations and efficiency standards have evolved and tightened significantly in recent years, with the low carbon aims and Net Zero goals quickly approaching. This has influenced a major shift in the materials used to meet such targets, every element of a build is now scrutinised for its sustainability credentials, from continuous insulation to lifecycle impact.
Because of this evolution, it has become even more vital that satisfactory research is done to make sure that the advertised credentials and specifications meet the requirements of the build. Something we’re seeing a lot more of in the industry is greenwashing, a term used when the inclusion of ‘eco-friendly’ buzz words appear in product names, marketing materials or brand statements to create an image of sustainability, without necessarily having the data or the performance to back them up. Sometimes, just having the word ‘green’ or ‘eco’ is enough to suggest credibility. In a fast-paced industry like construction, where time is money, it’s not always realistic to expect every claim to be checked, but when materials are chosen based on their ability to improve energy efficiency or reduce heat loss, it’s imperative that performance figures are supported by data.
Of course, sustainability isn’t the only area that’s overlooked, and while greenwashing is a major area of misleading messaging, it’s not the only way we’re seeing specifiers being misdirected. Sometimes, even genuine technical claims can be misapplied, particularly when assumptions are made.
This can be seen especially when it comes to compressive strength, where the common consensus seems to be that stronger is always better. At face value, it is easy to assume that higher numbers means better performance,
6 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER OCTOBER 2025 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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