Climate change is the single most important issue facing the world today. To protect our planet, we need to prevent a 1.5° rise in global temperatures this century. To do this, carbon emissions need to be cut to net zero globally by 2050 – but we are currently on course to miss this goal by at least five-fold.

Sustainability means a lifespan performance responsibility

We know and understand the building sector’s responsibilities around climate change.  As part of Kingspan International, we have embraced Planet Passionate - Kingspan’s global sustainability initiative. We are committed to playing our part in waste and energy minimisation in product manufacturing, service efficiency, longevity and performance. Most of all, we are dedicated to the design and delivery of robust, long-life building products that provide healthier environments for people to live in and more sustainable manufacturing practices for the future of the planet. Take a look at the Planet Passionate video.

We are conscious of our carbon footprint and are continually moving towards operating a more sustainable business. With this in mind, we have pledged to continually advance and hone sustainable business practices across our operation and our range of products. We are currently developing a business plan to reduce our carbon emissions and achieve our long-term sustainability goals. By putting our energy into change, we’re pioneering new technologies and better ways of building for a low carbon future. 

Buildings of the future will need to deliver more than ever before.

We all share the responsibility to build spaces that minimise greenhouse effects and use systems and products that perform for longer with healthier living environments - offering longevity, stability, minimised waste and reduction in immediate and long-term energy consumption. Our advanced building membrane solutions are already contributing to inspirational and sustainable buildings throughout New Zealand.


Three – Saving 343 tonnes of waste from landfill a year!

Kingspan is working towards a ‘no manufacturing waste’ target.

Since the beginning of March 2021, over 18 tonnes of polypropylene waste generated from the manufacture of Thermakraft Covertek has been collected at our factory for recycling. This represents approximately 2.5 tonnes per month, or 30 tonnes per year of waste which is directly repurposed for other construction industry products.   

Over the same period more than a tonne of Low Density Polyethylene -delivery pallet shrink wrapping - has also been collected for recycling and manufacturing of Thermakraft Supercourse 500.

Kingspan also saves other peoples’ waste from landfill. Over 312 tonnes of locally generated post-consumer waste has been recycled to manufacture its Supercourse 500 product this year. Next year it is planned this channel will recycle over 430 tonnes!

Kingspan supports reduced waste on building sites. Our primary building underlays, Thermakraft Watergate Plus and Covertek Roof Underlays, are now produced in wide width rolls (up to 2740mm wide) to provide faster installation coverage and less waste per roll. We also offer a cut to length service, minimising waste to almost zero.

Four – Working towards carbon neutral products.

Membranes and moisture barriers must in essence be robust, stable and non-degrading. It is critical for air, water, moisture barriers and condensation management systems to perform well under a broad range of weather conditions and temperatures. Kingspan has embraced the challenges of manufacturing complex synthetic products by designing solutions that are inherently stable in all conditions.

Kingspan's Thermakraft products are developed specifically for the New Zealand climate and perform well beyond the New Zealand building code minimum standards for Property Performance requirements.

Kingspan fully supports New Zealand’s commitment to being Carbon Neutral by 2050 and values the key role the building industry will play in achieving this. We have started the journey and will continue to innovate and contribute to the reduction of embodied carbon and greenhouse gas emissions and increase the energy efficiency of our building products.