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Kingspan: insulation used on Grenfell ‘against design’
An insulation manufacturer has warned its product may have been used in a manner it “would never recommend” and in a combination it was not designed for as part of the cladding system for Grenfell Tower.
As Channel 4 News revealed yesterday, the logo of Kingspan, a company that makes insulating panels, is clearly visible on pieces of foil clinging to the remnants of the tower.
According to Kingspan, “a very small quantity of Kingspan Kooltherm K15 (less than 5% of the estimated total amount of insulation)” was added to the tower in the refurbishment, which was completed last year by maintenance firm Rydon.
Kingspan said in a statement: “While we are still seeking to establish the facts of what occurred, it appears that Kooltherm K15 has been used without our knowledge, as part of a combination for which it was not designed, and which Kingspan would never recommend.”
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The product is made from phenolic foam, which is one substance that can be used as the core of an insulating panel.
According to planning documents, the cladding on Grenfell Tower was Reynobond PE – aluminium cladding with a polyethylene core.
Behind the aluminium panels was insulation made by Celotex. It is not clear exactly what role the Kingspan product played in the cladding system.
Kingspan added: “Kingspan had no involvement in either the design or the specification of the refurbishment of the Grenfell Tower façade, and neither Kingspan insulated panels nor Kingspan façade systems were used on Grenfell Tower.”
A spokesperson for Rydon told Inside Housing: "The cladding installation was provided by Harley Facades. Any questions regarding its installation should be directed to them. In terms of the investigation, Rydon has and will continue to offer its full help and support."
Harley Facades, Kensington and Chelsea Council and Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation have all been contacted for comment.
The fire that tore through Grenfell Tower last month killed at least 80 residents and has displaced hundreds.
It is widely believed to have spread externally across the cladding system and social landlords across the country are currently checking and removing similar aluminium cladding at the behest of central government, but other forms of cladding and insulation panels are not being checked.
