SAINT-GOBAIN UK has announced plans to create a multi-million-pound low-carbon stone wool insulation manufacturing factory.
To be located at the former Holwell Foundry Works in Melton Mowbray, the factory is targeted to begin production in 2027 and has the potential to deliver 250 new jobs when at full capacity.
The facility will invest in technology including the use of all-electric melting tech to power the furnace, powered by renewable electricity. The investment aims to 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 site will initially produce 50,000 tonnes of stone wool insulation products under the brand Saint-Gobain Isover brand with the potential, following further investment, to double its output to 100,000 tonnes a year.
Saint-Gobain said the insulation, made from abundant, mostly volcanic natural rock, will help meet demand for sustainable construction solutions for new construction, the growing need to improve the insulation levels of existing housing, and support the UK’s net zero carbon targets.
The facility will build on Saint-Gobain’s existing UK insulation manufacturing capacity at its Isover glass wool plant in Runcorn.
Dean O’Sullivan, MD 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.”
For more information, visit www.saint-gobain.co.uk/stonewool.
