Saint-Gobain to invest in new low-carbon insulation factory

Building materials producer Saint-Gobain is to invest in a new multi-million pound low-carbon stone wool insulation factory at its former Holwell Foundry Works, Melton Mowbray.

The new factory, which is a major step forward in low-carbon manufacturing technology, will use all-electric melting technology to power the furnace, powered by renewable electricity. This investment will help customers reduce the embodied carbon of construction projects and support Saint-Gobain’s goal to be a net-zero carbon business by 2050 across scopes 1, 2 and 3.

The facility will initially produce 50,000 tonnes of high-performance stone wool insulation products under the brand Saint-Gobain Isover, with the potential, following further investment, to double its output to 100,000 tonnes a year. It will build on Saint-Gobain’s existing UK insulation manufacturing capacity at its Isover glass wool plant in Runcorn, and utilise Saint-Gobain’s Isover’s global expertise in stone wool insulation manufacturing.

Dean O’Sullivan, managing director of Saint-Gobain’s Interior Solutions businesses said: “This is a major investment in new low-carbon stone wool insulation in the UK. Light and sustainable construction solutions are growing in demand – driven by the need to reduce the impact of buildings on the environment and our own goals to meet our business’ target to become a net-zero carbon business. Through this investment which we plan to begin production in 2027, we will be able to provide customers with high-performance, very low-embodied carbon stone wool insulation in addition to our existing glass wool insulation. The investment is a strong sign of commitment to delivering low-carbon light and sustainable solutions and meeting our own ambitious sustainability targets.”