INCLUSIVE DESIGN


INCLUSIVE DESIGN


Freefoam combines product innovation with a focus on sustainability


Aidan Harte F


reefoam Building Products supports its customers through product


development, sales assistance and marketing resources, helping merchants and installers respond to changing demand. Its portfolio spans internal wall and ceiling panels, external cladding, roofline products, rainwater systems and window trims. “Our focus as a company is on helping


customers grow, particularly through innovation, strong relationships and sustainability. We’ve supported our customers’ growth – and will continue to do so – with new launches, sales support, new marketing materials, and professional videos promoting stockists,” says Aidan.


Expanding the appeal of internal panels Freefoam’s Geo-panel® range offers an alternative to traditional tiling across bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and other interior spaces. The lightweight tongue-and-groove panels require minimal preparation and, when correctly sealed, provide a waterproof, hygienic


Aidan Harte, CEO of Freefoam Building Products Ltd, joined Matt Broughton to talk about the growth of the Geo-panel® range, changing consumer preferences and the company’s continuing sustainability commitments.


finish. They are also backed by a five-year guarantee. Although tiles remain popular, Aidan sees


panels becoming an increasingly established choice for both installers and homeowners: “There will always be a market for traditional tiles, but a lot of our installer customers use panels as well or have switched to them altogether. Internal panels have a number of advantages for homeowners and installers.” The practical benefits are particularly relevant


for renovation and adaptation work, where reducing disruption can be a priority. “Panels are a very practical solution for adaptive


projects particularly because they make the job much quicker, saving on time and labour (and therefore money). There’s less mess, and less disruption for homeowners, which is particularly important for this market.” The range includes Premium Wide panels


measuring 1,000 x 2,400mm and Classic Slim panels available in 250mm widths and lengths of 2,700mm or 4,000mm. Ceiling panels and complementary PVC and aluminium trims also form part of the offer.


Responding to changing tastes Alongside practical considerations, the appearance of panels continues to evolve. Freefoam offers established finishes such as White Gloss and Light Grey Gloss, as well as Azure Gloss with routed grooves. Its matt options include Grey Quartz and Grey Azure, reflecting interest in more understated surfaces. Aidan says customer feedback is helping shape


the direction of the range, with demand extending beyond traditional high-gloss finishes: “Our stockists say their installer customers and homeowners are looking for different textures too, such as matt concretes or natural stone, or even subtle metallics.” These preferences sit within a wider move


towards more varied interior finishes, including earthy browns and greiges. Freefoam’s broader product portfolio also offers a choice of colours for external applications, with many products available in exact or nearest-match RAL colours.


Sustainability Freefoam has embedded sustainability into the core of its business. "In mid-2025, we published our five-year Sustainability Plan," explains Aidan. "The published targets cover a wide range of


activities. Freefoam aims to achieve these targets by the end of 2030, if not sooner." As part of its sustainability strategy, the


company focuses on initiatives to Reduce, Reuse (keeping materials in circulation), and Recycle - eliminating waste. "We seek to 'close the loop' wherever possible." Freefoam's manufacturing facility in Cork,


Ireland, operates a fully closed production loop, and both its Cork and Northampton plants operate entirely on renewable energy. "Our Sustainability Plan will take our journey further, with specific, measurable targets," say Aidan. "This year we published three Environmental


Performance Declarations for our rainwater systems and roofline products and were awarded an EcoVadis Silver medal for the 4th year running (in the top 15% of companies assessed), demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. EcoVadis is a globally recognized sustainability rating platform that uses an evidence-based assessment to audit a company's sustainability management system."


30 BKU NOVEMBER 2026


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