Knauf Futurepanel - the industry's first Carbon Neutral Plasterboard

Firmly Committed to the Environment

Knauf Drywall - Winners of the Green Impact Award at the 2007 Green Construction Awards

Green Back Paper on all Knauf Drywall production in May

In May 2007 we produced our entire UK plasterboard output with a vivid green backing paper, replacing the usual grey.

The ‘green’ production run celebrates our ongoing achievements in reducing our impact on the environment, and highlights our commitment to continuing to do so into the future.

In addition to the ‘green’ production run, in March we became the first manufacturer to successfully trial the delivery of finished material by barge to the Olympics developments, and have now moved the plasterboard game on again with the launch of Futurepanel, the first carbon neutral plasterboard.

"Knauf are a family owned business and we believe that reducing our impact on the environment is simply the right thing to do." Ian Stokes, Commercial Director

Reducing our impact: Production

Our newly extended Immingham factory is fully insulated with energy efficient lighting used throughout.
A massive new heat exchanger is saving 10% of our Immingham factory’s energy usage.
Sophisticated energy management software optimises efficiency at both sites.
Recycling plans are in place for all materials used in our factories.
Our Sittingbourne factory is zero emitting to landfill.
We are working with the Carbon Trust to set ongoing targets for reducing energy usage.

Reducing our impact: Product Range

Futurepanel is the industry’s first Carbon Neutral Plasterboard. At least 10% of its core is manufactured from gypsum that we have recycled. Futurepanel can be used in all areas where standard Wallboard would be used and at 10kg/m² is ideally suited for Part E applications.

All our plasterboards use 100% recycled paper liners.

Our insulating Knauf Thermal Laminate range offers instant energy saving for a minimum reduction in room space, making them ideal for refurbishments and material change of use situations.

Knauf Drywall systems are A-Rated in the Green Guide.

Knauf plasterboard is easily recycled.

Reducing our impact: Transport

Knauf Drywall successfully test plasterboard deliveries by barge

We are the first manufacturer to successfully trial the delivery of finished material by barge to the Olympics, saving thousands of road miles.
We use the latest efficient Mercedes Actros trucks.
We deliver in full loads to maximise efficiency
Our trucks are then used to deliver other companies’ goods from the area of drop so that no journeys are wasted.

Reducing our impact: On Site

Collecting waste plasterboard from site to recycle it

We collect and recycle gypsum waste from construction sites across the country.
Our project teams work with contractors to actively design out waste, and to optimise systems and logistics to reduce energy.
The Knauf Enviro door jamb detail has saved thousands of square metres of plasterboard since it was introduced on sites in 2005, and is now being adopted by other manufacturers as a standard.

Reducing our impact: The Future

Wind Turbine being assessed for Sittingbourne

Planning permission is being sought for a 2MW Wind Turbine at our Sittingbourne factory to generate up to 40% of the site’s electricity requirements.

Combined Heat and Power systems are being assessed for use at our Immingham site to further reduce energy usage.

Deliveries by water and rail are being assessed at our Sittingbourne site.

We are working with the Carbon Trust to set ongoing targets for reducing energy usage at all our sites, and to find innovative methods of meeting them.

We are firmly committed to reducing our impact on the environment.