Excel Fibre Technology

Since the introduction of the Government initiated Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) the ultimate goal of reaching 'Zero Carbon' has been a continuous platform of debate. Much discussion has taken place over the achievability of these targets, when in fact accomplishing 'Zero Carbon' is merely down to sourcing existing products and advice which will help to achieve it?

At Excel Fibre Technology we manufacture Warmcel insulation made from recycled newspaper print. Using BREEAM Warmcel rates as 'better than carbon zero' meaning the amount of carbon sequestered and saved by preventing the recycled paper from being land filled is greater than the amount of carbon created during manufacture, installation and removal of the product when the building is demolished.

According to the BREEAM assessment, each tonne of manufactured Warmcel has a CO2 equivalent of -920 tonnes. Not only that, when based on the BREEAM 'cradle to grave' assessment for Warmcel for every 1 million homes (lofts and external walls) insulated with Warmcel there is a net reduction of 340,000 tonnes of CO2. This is before taking into consideration of the huge amounts of carbon saved on account of reduced heating fuel demand during its lifetime.

There are already affordable and truly sustainable products like Warmcel on the market that go beyond Zero Carbon and are readily available without the assumed 'design time' some manufacturers are requesting to develop a Zero Carbon solution.

As an industry, when discussing the energy efficiency of our respective products we always look to aim higher, but when considering Zero Carbon isn't it time to AIM LOWER?