The global warming potential of Actis Hybris insulation is just a quarter of that realised by a traditional alternative, while its entire cradle to grave energy consumption is just two fifths of that used by conventional alternatives.
The figures were revealed by comparing the findings of an Environmental Product Declaration on Hybris with those other insulation products using the French construction product INIES database.
The ‘cradle to grave’ EPD, carried out by LCA consultant Ecoeff according to EN 15804, examines the environmental impact of the product, from raw material supply to end-of life disposal half a century later.
The study – covering all thicknesses of the honeycomb style insulation, one of three products in the Hybrid range - looked in minute detail at raw material extraction, product and packaging manufacture, transportation, installation and end of life waste disposal.
Measured environmental impacts included energy resources consumption, global warming potential in kg eq. CO2, water consumption, air and water pollution, ozone layer depletion potential and solid waste.
The findings were then compared with those of other insulation products using the French construction product INIES database.
The comparison revealed that Hybris consumes less than two fifths as much energy over its ‘cradle to grave’ life cycle than PU board and that its global warming potential is just under a quarter of the same comparator product.
Water used during the entire life cycle of Hybris is 6.4% of that used by the material which used the most - 16 litres per square metre, compared with 250 litres for PU board.
