‘The ECOSE® Difference’

Fifteen years of the ECOSE^® Difference 

As we move towards 2050 and net zero, the conversation around construction’s impact on the environment is becoming more urgent. As a result, more products are being produced with sustainability in mind. While that’s undoubtedly a good thing, it can make specification more complicated. Our industry is awash with ‘green’ claims and it’s not always easy to know which products can be trusted to make a real difference.  

Fifteen years ago, we launched ECOSE^®, a unique plant-based binder that is low-carbon and low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). We wanted to create a binder that would have a positive impact not only for the environment, but for installers and occupants. Today, our insulation products manufactured with ECOSE^® are used in tens of thousands of buildings worldwide, and its benefits have been proven by extensive testing and certification. 

Transparent carbon reduction 

As operational carbon becomes more scrutinised, attention is shifting to the embodied carbon of buildings. That’s the emissions emitted during a building’s full lifecycle, including at the raw materials stage, during transportation and the construction process itself. In some countries, like France, Denmark, and the Netherlands, whole-life carbon assessment is already mandatory and it’s only a matter of time until more follow suit.  

Specifiers can reduce the embodied carbon of their buildings by selecting products with lower carbon footprints. ECOSE^® is a binder predominately made from rapidly renewable, plant-based materials. It’s manufactured using biogenetic carbon sources, resulting in lower carbon footprint compared to traditional binders. By using ECOSE^®, low-carbon insulation can be achieved, contributing to the overall reduction of a buildings carbon footprint. 

But we don’t expect everyone to just take our word for that. We have product-specific Environmental Product Declarations produced to the latest EN15804+A2 standard for all products made with ECOSE^®. This latest standard requires to declare more stages of the product life cycle as well as it provides an extended reporting on environmental impacts compared to its previous +A1 version. Our advice to specifiers is to look for product-specific EPDs according with EN15804+A2, when considering the sustainability credentials of any product as they’re more representative of the products featured. 

Proven performance 

VOCs are emitted by construction products throughout their lifetime – from manufacture to installation and even during the building’s occupation. Research shows they can pose serious risks to health – especially as the average person now spends 90% of their time indoors.  

In some countries, it’s now compulsory to manage VOC emissions in buildings, and even in those that it’s not yet, voluntary standards are increasing in popularity as building owners become increasingly aware of their harmful impact on both occupants and installers. 

This is another area where products made with ECOSE^® can make a difference. They are independently tested and verified to meet or exceed a wide range of national mandatory and voluntary product emissions standards. They were the first to be awarded the Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold certification back in 2010. They also contain no added formaldehyde and are certified not to contain any of the chemicals known to pose serious risk to health on the internationally agreed DECLARE ‘Red List’. 

As a low-VOC product, ECOSE^® can help building designers earn additional points under green building rating schemes like BREEAM. And because of its extensive certifications, designers can use products made with ECOSE^® with confidence that they will contribute to improved indoor air quality, both during and after construction.  

Increasing scrutiny 

The environmental impact of construction is already in the spotlight and as regulations evolve, this will only intensify. Specifiers are under pressure from clients and the public to create better buildings, that stand up to scrutiny. That’s where trusted solutions like Knauf Insulation with ECOSE^® can help. It’s a small part of our products but it’s been making a big difference for more than a decade. And it’ll continue contributing to healthier buildings for decades to come.