Environmental Performance

The Environmental Performance of Our Sandwich Panels

Project developers and investors are increasingly choosing to certify new buildings under recognized sustainability assessment schemes such as BREEAM and other green building standards. Certified buildings often benefit from higher asset value, lower operational energy costs (OPEX), improved occupant satisfaction, and in many markets, access to financial incentives or favourable financing conditions.

Below, we explain how Isocab By Kingspan sandwich panels can contribute to sustainable building performance.

Why Sandwich Panels Are a Sustainable Building Solution 

From a thermal performance perspective, our QuadCore IND sandwich panels achieve a thermal conductivity (lambda) value of 0.018 W/m·K (according to our CE declaration). This enables designers to improve building energy performance, helping to reduce heating, cooling and refrigeration energy demand while supporting sustainability targets and certification objectives.

The environmental impact of sandwich panels is influenced by factors such as raw materials, manufacturing processes, transport requirements and operational performance throughout their life cycle.

Thanks to their lower thermal conductivity, QuadCore IND sandwich panels can achieve the same thermal performance with reduced panel thickness compared to traditional PUR/PIR insulated panels.

For example, to achieve an external wall thermal resistance (R-value) of at least 10.5 m²·K/W, a 220 mm Industrial IND panel is required, whereas a 200 mm QuadCore IND panel provides equivalent thermal performance.

Additionally, all our sandwich panels are manufactured in facilities certified to internationally recognized management standards:

• ISO 9001:2015 (quality)

• ISO 14001:2015 (environment)

• ISO 45001:2018 (safety health at work)

• ISO 37301: 2021 (compliance management systems)

These factories are also subject to regular audits by independent bodies such as the CSTB.

BREEAM-Certified Buildings and Sandwich Panels

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is one of the world's leading sustainability assessment methods for buildings and infrastructure projects.

Independent accredited professionals assess buildings during design, construction and operation phases based on their environmental performance.

Today, hundreds of thousands of buildings worldwide have achieved BREEAM certification, with many more registered for assessment.

The Value of BREEAM Certification

BREEAM New Construction projects are classified according to their overall sustainability score:

• Pass (>30%)

• Good (>45%)

• Very Good (>55%)

• Excellent (>70%)

• Outstanding (>85%)

Projects are assessed across a range of sustainability categories, including:

• Management

• Health & Wellbeing

• Energy

• Transport

• Water

• Materials

• Waste

• Land Use & Ecology

• Pollution

• Innovation

Credits are awarded for meeting specific criteria. These credits are weighted to produce category scores and an overall building rating 

How Sandwich Panels Can Contribute to BREEAM Performance

Sandwich panels, particularly those featuring QuadCore insulation technology, may support BREEAM objectives in several ways:

• Reduced material use through high thermal efficiency and optimized panel thickness.

• Potentially lower transportation requirements due to lightweight construction.

• Sandwich panels can contribute to acoustic performance, with sound reduction values starting at Rw 25 dB, depending on panel type and thickness.

• Compatibility with rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems.

• Availability of independently verified environmental data for use in whole-building environmental assessments.

• Manufacturing facilities in Dunkirk and Perpignan are certified to BES 6001 “Very Good” for responsible sourcing of construction products.

The contribution of any product to a specific BREEAM assessment depends on the project design, assessment criteria and the requirements of the appointed assessor.

Environmental Product Declarations and Life Cycle Assessment

The environmental performance of construction products is increasingly assessed through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

Our QuadCore IND sandwich panels are supported by independently verified EPD data covering the entire product life cycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to installation, use and end-of-life scenarios.

These environmental datasets enable architects, consultants and sustainability specialists to include our products in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and whole-building environmental calculations.

Sustainability Assessment Tools Beyond BREEAM

In addition to BREEAM, many countries use national sustainability assessment schemes and environmental performance methodologies to evaluate buildings.

These systems generally focus on core sustainability themes such as:

Energy

Assessment of energy efficiency, thermal insulation performance, renewable energy integration and reduction of operational energy demand.

Environmental Impact

Evaluation of embodied carbon, responsible material selection, resource efficiency, water consumption and biodiversity considerations.

Health and Wellbeing

Assessment of indoor environmental quality, including ventilation, daylight access, thermal comfort, acoustics and occupant wellbeing.

Functional Quality

Consideration of accessibility, comfort, flexibility and usability throughout the building lifecycle.

Future Adaptability

Evaluation of durability, circularity, adaptability and long-term building resilience.

Financial Incentives for Sustainable Buildings

Many countries provide financial, fiscal or financing incentives for sustainable building projects that achieve recognized environmental certification levels.

Depending on local regulations and market conditions, these may include:

• Tax benefits

• Accelerated depreciation schemes

• Green financing opportunities

• Preferential loan conditions

• Sustainability-linked funding programs

Project teams should consult local authorities and financial advisors to identify applicable incentives in their region.

Sustainable Use and Maintenance of Sandwich Panels

Sandwich panels are well known for their low maintenance requirements and long service life.

To preserve both aesthetic appearance and structural integrity, regular inspection and cleaning are recommended. This is particularly important in sectors where hygiene standards are critical, such as food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and cold storage facilities.

Our Coating Selector and Maintenance Guide provides practical recommendations for inspection, cleaning and maintenance. Additional support is available from our Technical Services team and local representatives.

Our Sustainability Strategy: Planet Passionate

Across the Kingspan Group, all business divisions participate in Planet Passionate, our global sustainability programme for the period 2020-2030.

The programme focuses on three key themes:

• Climate Action

• Circularity

• Protection of the Natural Environment

During the first phase of the programme, significant progress has been achieved across the Group, including substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the incorporation of recycled materials into manufacturing processes, and increased rainwater harvesting capacity.

To learn more about our sustainability journey, visit the Planet Passionate section of our website or follow Isocab by Kingspan on LinkedIn.

Learn More About Our Sandwich Panels

Isocab By Kingspan manufactures insulated sandwich panels with foam insulation cores (Industrial IND and QuadCore IND) up to 220 mm thick, as well as mineral wool sandwich panels up to 300 mm thick.

Our specification generator helps architects, consultants and contractors select the most appropriate sandwich panel solution based on performance requirements, including thermal performance, fire protection, hygiene and building application needs.

Specifications can be exported in multiple formats to support project documentation and BIM workflows.

Discover our range of insulated sandwich panels and explore the specification tools available to support your next project.