Knauf Insulation’s Supafil® range has become the first blowing wool solution in Europe to be awarded the DECLARE ‘Red List Free’ label. The scheme brings transparency to sustainability claims by detailing where a product comes from, what it is made of and where it goes at the end of its life. It also certifies that an agreed list of harmful chemicals is not present in the product.
Matt Prowse, Director of Housing and Specification at Knauf Insulation said,
“DECLARE labels are new in the UK, but they’re poised to make a big difference to the housing industry. For the first time, people can see the environmental impact of individual construction products at a glance, in a clear and transparent way. For architects and housebuilders, using products with the DECLARE label – like the Supafil® range – is good for business. It ensures installer wellbeing and is a powerful point of difference to customers in a competitive market.”
The DECLARE label presents a straightforward ingredient list, similar to the food nutrition labels people are familiar with. It also shows other important details such as product life expectancy, end of life options and whether it contains chemicals featured on the DECLARE Red List. These are substances designated as harmful to health and the environment by the International Living Future Institute, including alkylphenols, phthalates and toxic heavy metals.
Prowse said,
“DECLARE labels are a proof point for customers, but architects, housebuilders and installers can also use them to verify their own sustainability and health and safety credentials. For example, it contributes to green building rating systems such as LEED. This means you can use the Supafil® range to deliver buildings that are proven to be healthy and good for the environment.”
To achieve the DECLARE label, Knauf Insulation has disclosed the entire composition of its Supafil® products down to 0.01%. The blowing wool range is created from up to 80% recycled glass with the remaining percentage composed entirely from Red List Free raw materials.
DECLARE aims to provide transparency around sustainability and health and safety. Compliance is clearly stated at the bottom of the label and products certified by DECLARE are listed on a free database which can be accessed at declare.living-future.org.
The DECLARE label for Supafil® comes as Knauf Insulation publishes its ambitious new commitments for 2025 in its global sustainability strategy ‘For A Better World’. The strategy outlines specific targets in each of the company’s long-term goals of ‘Putting People First’, ‘Achieving Carbon Zero’, ‘Delivering a Circular Economy’ and ‘Creating Better Buildings’.
For further information on DECLARE certification, visit: www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
For further information on Knauf Insulation’s ‘For A Better World’ sustainability strategy and to read the latest Annual Review, visit www.knaufinsulation.co.uk.