Whether it’s in the product itself or its manufacturing, sustainability is a guiding principle for YBS Insulation. Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to the company’s Daniel McKane and Lawrence Becker about the company’s green credentials.
Most companies will now be striving to demonstrate a sustainability ethos to their customer base. If, however, you are an established manufacturer of a range of products that can significantly improve the thermal performance of roofs, floors and walls you clearly have a head start on a good many others. YBS Insulation has been championing the multi-foil concept for over 25 years, and it is a market that is acquiring new converts year-on-year. A high thermal performance with a thinner material, inherent space saving attributes when compared to PIR – especially in room in roof applications – and the sheer versatility of where it can be used, have all gained plaudits, not to mention that it will also keep a property cooler in the summer as well as warmer in the winter.
Climate change and the spiralling increases in energy bills has brought the issue of insulation into sharp focus. Not only can YBS Insulation offer a product that can keep heating costs down it does it with recyclable materials. “Our SuperQuilt product accounts for over 50 per cent of our sales and it contains up to 83 per cent recycled raw materials,” explains Managing Director, Daniel McKane, “whilst BreatherQuilt is 74 per cent recycled. Not only that but by reducing the amount of packaging we use to deliver SuperQuilt, we’ve saved 3.4 tonnes of plastic with just one customer, and that’s something we’re now replicating across the business.”
It’s an argument that Technical Director, Lawrence Becker echoes: “There’s always two aspects to sustainability. The first is what we do ourselves to reduce our carbon footprint as a business, and the second is the product itself – and we’re scoring very highly on both. When sourcing raw materials we will, wherever possible, prioritise its recyclability, and all of our packaging is 100 per cent recycled. Our factory produces over 2million metres of reflective multi-foil insulation every year, whilst our production lines achieve zero waste to landfill. Not only that but our multi-foils are designed to last a minimum of 60 years within a building.”
As a result, YBS Insulation can point to a product with a sustainable provenance that delivers on U-values. “That’s a real win on every front for both builder and homeowner,” adds Dan. “When you add to that just how easy it is for multiple rolls of multi-foil to be transported in the back of a van – and for it to be passed through a loft hatch – and you have a very compelling argument for its use.”
SuperQuilt reflective multi foil insulation is a two-in-one solution delivering a high level of thermal performance, whilst also acting as a vapour control layer. In pitched roof applications, BreatherQuilt can boast the thermal properties of an insulating multi-foil with a breathable membrane, which is both water resistant and vapour permeable.
Dan outlines just one application where a multi-foil installation is the right choice: “On a standard pitched roof on a refurb job the target U-Value for Building Regs would be 0.18 W/m2K. To achieve that with PIR you’d need 90mm between the rafters, and 50mm below. With a three-layer YBS Insulation solution of BreatherQuilt, and two layers of SuperQuilt, the time-consuming and wasteful PIR element can be eliminated, whilst also controlling the passage of moisture, and there’s no risk of the air leakage that can occur in PIR joints.”
This UK manufacturer’s facility in Creswell, Derbyshire also features extensive research, development and testing resources. It is here that the next generation of multi-foils emerge from the labs and the latest of these are Breathe-R and Breathe-R Ultra, both due to be launched to the market later this year.
With the appetite for home improvements showing no sign of abating YBS Insulation actually witnessed its turnover increase over the Covid era. It is a period which has also seen a period of major restructuring at the company with Dan McKane becoming Managing Director, and Lawrence Becker taking up the position of Technical Director. Alongside that there’s been a number of additional revenue-driven appointments, whilst a YBS Insulation training centre based at its Derbyshire home will open its doors this year.
Global warming, government legislation, and a cost of living crisis is now precipitating real change. At the same time, it is also placing unprecedented scrutiny on manufacturers’ products and processes. YBS Insulation is one company that can demonstrate a commitment to the sustainability cause at every stage.
For further information on YBS Insulation visit https://ybsinsulation.com/
