Ibstock Well-Placed To Meet the Demands of the Growing Retrofit Market

With the world at a crossroads in dealing with climate change, the construction sector is playing an increasingly important role in providing even more sustainable solutions for both homes and commercial buildings. In this article, Ibstock looks at how the marketplace is responding to these challenges and how in particular, retrofitting buildings in the UK is becoming progressively important in the drive to improve energy efficiency.

The growing need for energy-efficient retrofitting in the UK

The ongoing push to meet sustainability targets means that 29 million homes in the UK will need to be retrofitted before 2050, according to the UK Green Building Council. More pressingly, 15 million properties need to be retrofitted by 2030.

Sadiq Khan has set a target to retrofit 500,000 homes which are either social housing or sited within social housing blocks in London, as part of the Mayor’s Accelerated Green Pathway and the London Councils’ target of an average of an EPC B rating. This accounts for around 1 in 7 of London’s total housing stock.

Retrofitting: the key to energy efficiency and sustainability

Retrofit is viewed as an excellent way of helping the UK to meet sustainability targets and ultimately reach the goal of Net Zero. In London, it has overtaken new build projects – preserving many old housing blocks and estates which, previously, may have been demolished to make way for new construction projects. Retrofit provides a cost-effective way of improving a building’s energy efficiency, addressing various problems including poorly insulated walls and floors, draughty windows and doors, as well as inadequate loft insulation. Old heating systems may be replaced by air source heat pumps and combined with the above measures, will facilitate a warmer property, help prevent mould growth, as well as make a significant difference to energy bills.

The demand for sustainable structures has seen builders and developers seeking products that will enable them to reduce the carbon footprint of structures and reduce the level of greenhouse gases generated in the construction process. Indeed, retrofitting is now such a crucial aspect of the UK’s built environment that all top 100 British architectural firms now have a retrofit department.

There is no doubt that the shift to incorporate low carbon products is partly altruistic, but the real driving force has come from the European Union’s (EU) adoption of ESG strategy (Environmental, Social and Governance), which sets the agenda and objectives for companies across Europe, and which also has implications for countries outside the EU.

At the heart of the EUs ESG agenda is a determination to create a sustainable future for generations to come. The Ibstock Group, a leading manufacturer of building products and solutions to the UK construction industry, is committed to playing a leading role in this revolution. The Group have invested in both research and development of new building materials that provide even more lower embodied carbon.

Ibstock’s commitment to sustainable construction

The Ibstock’s Futures business unit is specifically focused on helping to shape the revolution currently taking place and are driving towards being at the forefront of sustainable building, supporting the growth of lightweight construction methods, as well as finding more carbon-efficient ways of manufacturing.

Ibstock Futures aim is to enable the full potential of more Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in the UK by working closely with developers and contractors on new construction systems, bringing industrialisation to the supply chain and influencing design for manufacturing and assembly from early stages of conception. This will contribute to more sustainable construction whilst improving overall productivity in the construction value chain.

A £50 million investment in the future of building

More recently Ibstock Futures has invested £50 million in the site redevelopment at it’s Nostell factory in North Yorkshire, and will focus on brick slips. With the full phase of the project due to be fully operational in 2025, enabling up to 50 million brick slips to be produced each year.

This redevelopment is being progressed in two stages. The first phase focuses on driving pace and scale of brick slips through automation using the first of its kind technology in the UK. Phase two comprises the installation of even more advanced technology to significantly expand the brick slips product range and offering from 2025 onwards.

This will enable Ibstock Futures to help meet the UK’s fast-growing need for more modern methods of construction, to complement traditional methods and will prove crucial in helping meet the Government’s target of building 1.5m new homes over the next five years.

The benefits of Ibstock's brick slips for retrofit projects

The company's extensive range of brick slips radiate traditional aesthetic appeal, enabling architects to create building facelifts that combine style with improved energy efficiency - providing an authentic brick finish that will support planning applications, whilst enabling a more efficient installation. Their lighter weight making it easier handling and installation. Other benefits include a reduction in waste in the construction process, as well as enabling time savings on construction sites.

For mid-to-high rise buildings, retrofit and low rise modular, using Ibstock brick slips can significantly streamline the specification process. A variety of materials and textures are available to match regional styles nationwide, ensuring the slips can perfectly complement existing, handset bricks. The brick slips are available in multiple sizes and profiles, and can also be detailed to work with most façade systems.

Ibstock’s ESG strategy and commitment to Net Zero

Ibstock’s wider ESG ambitions to address climate change, improve lives and to manufacture materials for life are integrated across the business strategy. This includes the decarbonising of products, processes and supply chain by centring on carbon reduction, water efficiency and biodiversity gains to achieve a 40% reduction in carbon by 2030 and becoming Net Zero operations by 2040.

As the sector continues to evolve, the Ibstock Futures business unit will continue to drive focus on accelerating the development of new technologies, products and solutions to support the growth in sustainability and modern methods of construction (MMC).

Learn more about Ibstock Futures or the company's brick slips range.

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