Knauf Insulation Takes Four Steps Towards Greater Sustainability
After the launch of its first group sustainability report in December 2010, Knauf Insulation is proud to have already achieved one of its key 2011 commitments; the certification of all of its European, Russian and CIS manufacturing plants to four key international management standards. The standards achieved cover quality, environment, energy and health and safety management and demonstrate Knauf Insulation’s commitment to improving the sustainability of manufacturing and products.
During 2010, Knauf Insulation began a process to move from growing responsibly to focusing even greater attention on responsible growth. Beyond the adoption of its first group sustainability report, Knauf Insulation also adopted a number of sustainability commitments for 2011, many focused on further improving the sustainability of manufacturing. Specific commitments included improved energy efficiency, increasing recycling levels and increasing the amount of renewable energy that are used on site.
Beyond these individual commitments, Knauf Insulation staff are aware that sustainability is about continual improvements across all key sustainability metrics. Knauf Insulation is therefore delighted to have achieved four of the most important International Management Standards for sustainability, namely ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), EN 16001 (Energy Management) and OHSAS 18001 (Health and Safety Management) for all its manufacturing plants in Europe, Russia and CIS countries. Knauf Insulation was also pleased to have had this achievement certified by one of the leading conformity assessment organisations, Bureau Veritas.
“Individual commitments are important but putting in place the right management systems will help ensure that Knauf Insulation can continually improve across all key sustainability metrics,” explained David Ducarme, Group Technical Director. He continued: “We are therefore proud to have achieved ISO 9001, 14001, EN 16001 and OHSAS 18001 for all our European, Russian and CIS manufacturing plants.”
Tony Robson, Group CEO of Knauf Insulation, explained: “Insulation has a critical role in creating a sustainable built environment. At the same time, insulation manufacturers also have an important responsibility to ensure that insulation and its manufacture becomes ever more sustainable. Being one of the first companies in our sector to achieve all four standards for all Europe, Russia and CIS manufacturing plants strengthens my view that at Knauf Insulation we are taking our responsibility seriously.”
Knauf Insulation marked the achievement at an award ceremony held at the Ecobuild conference and exhibition in London UK, on the 3rd March 2011. At the ceremony, Dirk Reyneart, Certification Manager from Bureau Veritas, presented Knauf Insulation with the certificates for the four standards for all its plants in Europe, Russia and CIS countries.
For more information visit http://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Pictured (left to right) are: Allan Morgans, Steve Williams, Dag Peiffer, Tony Robson, Dirk Reynaert, Ian Gornall and Stuart Bell from Knauf Insulation
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Notes to Editors
Knauf Insulation is the UK’s leading manufacturer of insulation products, and the only producer of four types of insulation: Earthwool, encompassing glass and rock mineral wool with the revolutionary ECOSE® Technology, extruded polystyrene (XPS) under the Polyfoam® brand name and extruded polyethylene (XPE).
Knauf Insulation mineral wool products with ECOSE® Technology are made with a formaldehyde-free binder based on rapidly renewable materials, instead of traditional petro-based chemicals. ECOSE® Technology is up to 70 per cent less energy intensive than traditional binders. Complementing the new sustainability benefits, the patented ECOSE® Technology also produces a ‘super-soft’ and easier to handle wool.
In the UK, the company employs around 500 people at its four manufacturing plants at St Helens, Queensferry, Cwmbran and Hartlepool. Knauf Insulation is part of the Knauf Group – a global corporation delivering products and services including: building materials and systems based on gypsum and gypsum-related products, thermal insulation, sound insulation and fire protection materials, limestone and lime products, chalk and cement related products and plant engineering.
Knauf Insulation Ltd
PO Box 10
Stafford Road
St Helens
Lancashire
WA10 3NS
Tel: 01744 766600