NBS | News (S)

NBS and BDP join forces to improve generic carbon data in construction

NBS — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:43:26 GMT

Today, NBS (part of Hubexo), the platform for connected construction information, announces a long-term strategic partnership with BDP, a major global multidisciplinary practice of architects, designers, engineers and urbanists.

The partnership recognises BDP's integral role in the development of NBS LCA, a new life-cycle carbon assessment platform providing professionals with high-quality, reliable and easy-to-use carbon data to ensure accurate tracking as construction projects evolve.

BDP's primary contribution to NBS LCA has been the development of more than 1,300 pre-calculated generic assemblies, covering the most commonly used building fabric elements alongside key concrete and steel structural elements.

These assemblies provide whole-element carbon data, giving designers consistent, UK-relevant carbon benchmarks from the earliest stages of project design. Users can easily and instantly apply carbon rates to a range of pre-configured common building elements, including walls, floors, and roofs.

Developed by BDP and NBS, the assemblies remove the need for designers to manually build up material layers or calculate individual components at the concept stage. This saves significant time and effort, enabling proportionate and responsible carbon evaluation early in the design process, when decisions have the greatest impact on a project's overall carbon footprint.

BDP also participated in collaborative workshops that directly informed the development of NBS LCA, helping to shape a tool that is practical, accessible and aligned with real-world UK construction workflows.

Dr Lee Jones, Head of Sustainability at Hubexo, said: “BDP's contribution to NBS LCA has been invaluable. Their depth of project experience and technical knowledge has directly shaped the generic assemblies at the heart of the platform. These assemblies give designers a reliable, UK-relevant starting point for carbon assessment, without the burden of building everything from scratch. This is exactly the kind of collaboration that moves the industry forward, and we're proud to be working with BDP on a long-term basis.”

Julia Yao, Associate, Sustainability Consultant at BDP, said: “Carbon assessment needs to be embedded in design from day one, not bolted on at the end. Working with NBS to develop its LCA product has been a genuine opportunity to put that principle into practice. The generic assemblies we developed draw on real project data and are designed to give designers meaningful, actionable carbon information at the concept stage. We're delighted to see them at the core of a platform that will be used across the industry.”

With the UK Government outlining its commitment to responsible carbon reporting through its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, professionals need reliable, easy-to-use tools to assess and report embodied carbon.

NBS LCA addresses this need by integrating carbon calculations with live design work, drawing on structured data from Circular Ecology's ICE Database and more than 12,500 verified, specification-ready construction products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) from NBS Source and ECO Portal.

Over the coming months, NBS and BDP will continue to develop their partnership, with a shared commitment to improving the quality and accessibility of carbon data for construction professionals across the UK.

NBS LCA is available now, with flexible subscriptions designed for all professionals. For more information, visit the website here.

Bourne Amenity NBS case study: Finsbury Circus Gardens

Admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:42:18 GMT

Bourne Amenity recently supported the restoration of London’s Finsbury Circus Gardens by supplying specialist soils, bark and materials for the soft landscaping works, providing the right foundation for the new planting and lawn areas.

Finsbury Circus Gardens is London’s oldest public park, situated in the City of London between Moorgate and Liverpool Street Stations.

The recent restoration of the gardens was needed to conserve the park's rich history while also making the space fit for modern use. Delivered for the City of London Corporation, with Realm as architect and Maylim as main contractor, the project focused on revitalising the landscape, improving accessibility for visitors, and creating a green space that encouraged biodiversity and wildlife.

Bourne Amenity supported the scheme by supplying specialist soils, bark and materials for the soft landscaping works, providing the right foundation for the new planting and lawn areas.

Background

The restoration formed part of the City of London Corporation’s Cool Streets and Greening Programme, which aims to improve the resilience of streets, parks and open spaces to mitigate the impacts of climate change. At Finsbury Circus Gardens, this meant creating a landscape that felt refreshed and more usable, while still sitting comfortably within its Grade II-listed setting.

The design introduced new planting spaces, accessible paths, and seating around the central lawn. These upgrades created a welcome contrast to the busy street environment in the surrounding areas. For a site with such a long history, the challenge was not simply to make the gardens look new, but to make them work better without losing their character.

Challenges

Finsbury Circus Gardens presented a number of practical challenges. Existing trees had to be protected throughout the works, with root systems influencing how areas of the site could be approached. The gardens had also been used during Crossrail construction, which raised additional considerations regarding soil conditions and drainage.

For the soft landscape elements to succeed, material selection needed to support both the design intent and the long-term performance of the finished gardens. New planting areas required a suitable growing medium.

Solution
Bourne Amenity supplied a range of specialist landscape materials for the Finsbury Circus Gardens project, including premium TS6 5mm BS3882 topsoil, free-draining subsoil, lawn topsoil and 0–10mm composted bark fines. Bourne Amenity also removed a proportion of the site-won soil and ameliorated it with 25% compost before returning it to the park. Reusing the material in this way reduced waste while improving the soil for the reinstated landscape.

Each material was selected to support a specific part of the landscape build-up. Free-draining subsoil helped provide a suitable base for planted areas where drainage performance was an important consideration, to prevent flooding and waterlogging in the park.

The ameliorated site-won soil supported the new planting scheme by providing a growing medium suited to the establishment and continued assurance of plant health.

For the grassed areas, including the central lawn, Bourne Amenity supplied lawn topsoil suited to areas of higher foot traffic. The team worked with Tim O’Hare Associates to meet the bespoke soil specification for the project, including the incorporation of TerraCottem within the soil mix.

Across the planted areas, 0–10mm composted bark fines were applied as a natural mulch layer. By protecting the soil surface and helping it hold moisture through hotter weather, the material supported the new planting during the early stages of establishment.

Outcome
Finsbury Circus Gardens has now reopened with the addition of 12 tree species, over 13,000 plants and more than 6,000 bulbs, which will support biodiversity and provide essential habitats for London’s wildlife, including bees, birds and bats. This project demonstrates how thoughtful material selection can contribute to the long-term success of urban greening projects for years to come.

Project information sources:
https://www.maylim.co.uk/projects/finsbury-circus-gardens-restoring-tranquillity/
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environmental-health/climate-action/climate-action-projects/cool-streets-and-greening-in-the-square-mile
https://news.cityoflondon.gov.uk/historic-city-park-reopens-after-major-transformation/
https://www.realmlandscape.com/projects/28-landscapes/276-finsburycircus-cityoflondon

Hubexo UKI achieves independently verified carbon neutrality

Admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:41:54 GMT

Hubexo UKI achieves independently verified carbon neutrality for 2025 against ISO 14068-1:2023
Independent verification returns a 0% QA variance rate
Emissions intensity reduced from 13.14 to 11.65 tCO₂e per £m revenue year on year
Achievement supported by energy efficiency measures, renewable energy provision, improved supply chain measures, and long-term net zero targets
Local bio-diversity gains supported through local afforestation projects

Hubexo UKI, incorporating NBS, Glenigan and CIS Ireland, has been awarded Carbon Neutral status for the fourth consecutive year, independently verified against the internationally recognised ISO 14068-1:2023 standard for Carbon Neutrality.

This achievement reflects not only the accuracy and transparency of the carbon reporting by Hubexo UKI, but also its commitment to meaningful emissions reduction and long-term decarbonisation.

The carbon neutrality verification covers all UK operations for 2025 across Scope 1, 2 and material Scope 3 emissions. The third-party assessors conducted a two-stage verification process, returning a 0% QA variance rate, confirming a high-level of data integrity, supported by robust, auditable evidence.

Delivering Carbon Neutrality and Beyond

Following verification of its emissions inventory, Hubexo retired 896 tonnes of CO₂e through independently verified Gold Standard carbon credits linked to renewable energy projects. The achievement extends beyond offsetting alone and is underpinned by operational changes. With the future in mind, NBS relocated its Newcastle headquarters to a modern BREEAM excellent-rated, fully electric office powered by 100% renewable electricity, projected to save approximately 60 tonnes of carbon per year, with the carbon reduction benefits of this switch being enabled from 2026 onwards.

These actions support Hubexo's broader objective of reducing emissions at source and lowering reliance on offsetting over time.

Although the business grew during the reporting period, emissions intensity fell from 13.14 tCO₂e per £m revenue in 2024 to 11.65 tCO₂e per £m revenue in 2025, an indicator that carbon emissions are becoming decoupled from business growth.

Alongside verified offsetting activities, Hubexo has funded planting 800 native UK trees local to its offices through environmental partner Carma Earth. The initiative supports biodiversity enhancement, community green spaces and programmes that help military veterans access nature-based therapy and employment pathways.

Building Towards Net Zero

This milestone sits within a broader decarbonisation journey. Hubexo operates within a group-wide climate framework with targets to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach Net Zero by 2045, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for the IT and software sector.

Plans for 2026 include eliminating fossil fuel heating, deepening supplier engagement through new ESG technology and transitioning supply chain reporting from spend-based to activity-based methodologies.

Dr Lee Jones, Head of Sustainability, Hubexo UKI said: "Achieving independently verified carbon neutrality under ISO 14068 reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability and climate action, and whilst we acknowledge that this is merely a stepping stone to our long-term commitments, it gives our customers, partners and colleagues confidence that our environmental claims are backed by solid data and independent scrutiny.

“Sustainability is about more than carbon accounting alone. We're reducing emissions at source, investing in our communities and working toward a clear net zero pathway. Together, we're building a more sustainable future for the construction sector, and that's something the whole team can be proud of.”

Joanne Keit, Hubexo UKI President, added: “Building a sustainable future is at the heart of Hubexo’s mission. We are committed to driving innovation and empowering our customers to create a better, more sustainable world. That’s why we are delighted to have achieved carbon neutrality once again. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact. Our customers can be confident that we continue to take meaningful action to operate more responsibly and support a greener future.

“Not only have we maintained carbon neutrality for the fourth year, but during our largest-ever UK hub relocation, we also successfully reduced our overall emissions. This is a significant collective achievement, and one that we are incredibly proud of.”

Introducing Remagin Secure – 30-year product and performance warranty for load-bearing solutions

NBS — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:41:37 GMT

LGSF has long since been a realistic alternative to traditional hot rolled steel and concrete frames. It achieves a lightweight structure to reduce the loads impacted on your building foundations and speed of construction to reduce overall build costs and help achieve a speedier return on investment. Remagin have now released Remagin Secure to enhance the performance of Remagin LGSF solutions and provide the confidence to specifiers that Remagin LGSF is a genuine alternative to traditional methods.

Clarity, consistency and complete peace of mind

With numerous challenges faced by specifiers in the current market, including price uncertainty, limited technical expertise, lack of warranties, lack of performance data and testing certification, and increasing pressures around waste and sustainability, it is vital to assess the viability of building systems earlier in the design process.

Early engagement has, and always will be, key when it comes to Light Gauge Steel Framing (LGSF).

Part of Etex Group, Remagin is a market leader in complete, single-source off-site solutions, specialising in sustainable light-gauge steel options.

Through close collaboration, Remagin works with design teams from stage 2 onwards, evaluating design suitability, structural requirements, floor plate/load chase alignment, and performance criteria for fire and acoustics.

Building performance is a priority

Remagin’s ongoing process of robust testing, refining, and re-testing ensures that clients receive reliable systems and accurate information. To reinforce this commitment, Remagin Secure has launched to assist with load-bearing LGSF solutions, providing clients with the assurance and confidence they expect.

Remagin Secure Project Pack delivers a clear, consistent, and dependable approach across every stage of the build, including test evidence. Built on a proven system and backed by rigorous testing, it removes doubt and strengthens confidence. Most importantly, it gives clients what they’ve been asking for: clarity, consistency, and complete peace of mind, supported by a 30-year product and performance warranty.

With test regimes that exceed industry standards and ensure a surplus in every system, reliability and repeatability are enhanced. Through collaboration with Etex Group partners, Siniat and Promat FSI, the team has established new benchmarks for teamwork with client design teams, a process that begins well before the creation of the Remagin Secure Project Pack, which stands as the outcome of this partnership.

Precision and performance in practice: University of Staffordshire

With an enhanced scope, Remagin was selected by Willmott Dixon to deliver the LGSF superstructure at the University of Staffordshire, which included pre-fitted windows. By embracing off-site advantages, the team was able to speed up on-site delivery and allow follow-on trades earlier access – this is key to unlocking the benefits of LGSF. The Remagin Secure solution used at the University of Staffordshire has undergone extensive testing, including additional assessments identified by the main contractor during the design stage. These requirements are then carried through into the specification and installation processes, ensuring that compliance is validated from the outset.

Furthermore, the products used within the system are delivered through a fully integrated approach, ensuring consistency, quality assurance, and a clear line of responsibility. This provides a clear point of accountability and differentiates the Remagin Secure warranted solution from alternative offerings in the market.

Designed for the real world

Remagin’s integrated systems have been tested and assessed for compliance with the latest regulations and standards, ensuring robust, reliable design performance. The wall systems are tested, specified and designed with real-world construction in mind, which is why features such as electrical socket openings, among the most common elements in modern buildings, are integrated within fire-tested systems as standard.

EN 1366-3 explicitly excludes any implied performance data for penetrations within load-bearing separating elements, so not only does Etex Remagin test with these included, but it has also sourced data on the impact of socket positioning relative to wall height and proximity to load-bearing studs. Testing of load-bearing systems extends beyond sockets to include fire-resistant doors, large letterbox openings, partial penetrations, junction performance, and the suitability of holistic details. Every Remagin Secure Project Pack is built around this comprehensive approach, helping teams to resolve potential compliance challenges at the design stage, rather than encountering them later in the project lifecycle.

Remagin Secure System and a 30-year product and performance warranty are issued upon request after internal validation by the Remagin technical team. This process ensures the building design aligns with the Remagin Secure Project Pack and enables compliance tracking.

Quality and regulatory compliance are established from the very first decisions and, through collaboration with NBS in creating specifications, ensure that compliance goes beyond information and data sheets; it must be embedded in every process.

Remagin’s load-bearing solution is perfectly suited to multi-room sector projects, including residential apartments, care homes, student accommodation, and hotels. Collaboration is central to Remagin’s approach, ensuring clients and their design teams remain at the heart of every stage.

Building Better Together.

Masonry MMC system chosen to deliver high-quality affordable homes

NBS — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:41:00 GMT

Social housing provider Stonewater is building thirty-nine affordable new homes at Shiremoor Hill, Merriott in Somerset, in partnership with local housebuilder Galion Ltd.

To support its commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes with a strong focus on energy efficiency, build quality, and customer wellbeing, Stonewater selected the Celcon Vertical Wall Panel (VWP) system from H+H.

These storey-height aircrete panels are designed for the rapid construction of external walls, separating walls, and internal partitions. When combined with prefabricated timber floors and roofing systems, they deliver a complete Category 2 MMC solution.

Building energy-efficient homes

Marie Riordan, Director of Development (South & Central) at Stonewater, explains: “The use of a modern construction system supports our drive to improve consistency, reduce on-site risk and enable better control over build quality and programme.

“Speed of build is important, but not at the expense of safety or quality. We’re delighted with how well the Celcon Vertical Wall Panel system has worked in practice, particularly in reducing some of the typical risks associated with traditional construction.”

For affordable housing providers like Stonewater, build quality is critical. In addition to providing safe, comfortable homes, it is responsible for maintenance over the long term, so durability and consistent performance are essential.

Aircrete is well-suited to this brief. It is robust, resistant to damp and mould, fire-resistant, and offers excellent thermal performance. When supplied as storey-height panels, it also supports a more airtight building fabric – the reduced number of joints means fewer potential weak points in the envelope.

Tim Barnes, formerly Head of Construction at Galion Ltd, comments: “The benefit of the system is ease of installation, but more so the quality of the internal walls that we can produce. There are far fewer joints and the airtightness is excellent.

“For this site, there was a requirement to build to EPC B. The houses will achieve EPC A, with SAP scores of 93-96, thanks to the combined performance of the Celcon VWP system, solar panels, and air source heat pumps, exceeding Stonewater’s expectations.”

Speed of build

Another reason the VWP system was specified for the Shiremoor Hill site was the time-saving it offers.

Tim explains: “The speed of using VWPs is comparable to timber frame, while avoiding the compaction and movement that can occur in loaded timber frame structures.

“The team are installing around 65 Vertical Wall Panels a day; to put that into context, that’s equivalent to around 1,100 standard lightweight blocks. Compared to the traditional method, this enables us to knock three weeks off the superstructure build programme quite comfortably.”

Design flexibility

The development includes a variety of homes, from four-bedroom houses to three-bedroom bungalows. The homes will feature PV panels, air source heat pumps, wastewater heat recovery, and EV charging to support high levels of energy efficiency.

Riordan commented on the ability of the VWP system to deliver the range of homes across the site: “It was important to adopt a system that could deliver a range of house types to meet local needs. The flexibility of the approach has enabled a varied mix of homes to be delivered efficiently, while maintaining consistent quality.”

A first for WholeHouse

Shiremoor Hill is the first social housing project to be delivered using the WholeHouse solution from Travis Perkins. This BIM-based platform enables users to design, configure and generate accurate construction drawings and bills of materials quickly and efficiently.

Michael Leverton, Head of WholeHouse, says: “The platform provides pricing and embodied carbon data for different building elements, enabling housebuilders to make informed design decisions upfront.

“The Celcon Vertical Wall Panel system is a good fit for the WholeHouse platform. It’s an MMC system that offers speed of build, but it uses local trades and doesn’t have the upfront cost of offsite or timber-frame systems. We’re really pleased to be working with H+H and keeping masonry at the forefront of building.”

Looking ahead

As demand for affordable housing continues to grow, systems that combine speed, consistency and proven performance will play an increasingly important role in delivering homes that stand the test of time.

Find out more information about the Celcon Vertical Wall Panel system.

Helping design specialists to meet increased fire safety regulation

NBS — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

28 May 2026

Designing high-performance buildings that deliver on aesthetics as well as compliance is the expected blueprint, especially in higher-risk buildings.

Fire safety, in particular, continues to be at the forefront of requirements, with the Building Safety Act 2022 having helped to raise the bar, while also increasing the level of responsibility on the shoulders of architects and other specifiers.

Against this backdrop, ROCKWOOL is providing tangible support through a wide range of product, service and training solutions, based on its deep in-house expertise in fire safety. This offering includes its new EN-rated fire-stopping range, FirePro®, the launch of a bespoke Training Academy, an interactive Fire-Stopping Standard Details Guide, and ongoing expert advice.

With its global centre of excellence for fire-stopping in the West Midlands, ROCKWOOL is helping those who specify, install and maintain buildings to upskill and meet new fire safety regulations, as well as helping to improve building performance and safety across the board.

ROCKWOOL’s Technical Training Lead, David Steel – who has a long history of working in the sector as a fire-stopping expert – says: “Specifying the right system, along with the quality of installation, is under intense scrutiny and designers have a huge range of issues to consider now.

“We’re here with solutions to support the sector. We’ve brought high quality fire-stopping products to the market, alongside in-person practical training and expertise to boost the capabilities, skills, knowledge and compliance of those specifying and using them.”

The full FirePro range is tested and classified to the latest EN fire resistance standards, with third-party certification under the UL-EU Mark.

The Training Academy combines best practice classroom learning from ROCKWOOL’s fire-stopping experts on specifying the right products for the job, along with practical hands-on training using purpose-built rigs.

ROCKWOOL’s is a paid-for, professional training course, which can be adapted to suit all levels of experience. Full details and pricing are available on ROCKWOOL’s website.

You can also take advantage of ROCKWOOL’s new technical literature along with its wide range of CPD and e-learning materials.

Kawneer is now Novastruct UK: a stronger partner for specifiers

NBS — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

28 May 2026

Kawneer is becoming Novastruct: a new name for a business with proven systems, established relationships, and a clear focus on supporting specifiers.

Following the acquisition of Kawneer Europe by Mutares Group in October 2025, the business has entered a new chapter as Novastruct Europe. For the UK, that means Novastruct UK will continue to support architects, façade designers, contractors and project teams with the same technical knowledge, aluminium systems expertise and collaborative approach they have relied on, now with a renewed structure and long-term direction.

The change is significant, but the purpose is straightforward. Novastruct UK is being shaped to give specifiers greater clarity, confidence, and continuity at the points where decisions matter most: early design, specification development, coordination and delivery.

Novastruct UK’s new identity.

A new name, built on strong foundations

The Novastruct name reflects progress, but it does not start from zero. It builds on the experience, product knowledge and market understanding developed through Kawneer’s long-standing presence in architectural aluminium systems.

For specifiers, that continuity matters. Façade and fenestration decisions carry technical, aesthetic and commercial consequences across the life of a building. Performance, durability, compliance, interface design and installation practicality all need to be considered together. Novastruct UK’s role is to help make those decisions clearer and more coordinated.

The rebrand provides an opportunity to sharpen how that support is delivered. With a strengthened organisation, clearer responsibilities and renewed leadership, Novastruct UK is focused on being easier to engage with, more aligned to UK project needs and better equipped to support long-term specification outcomes.

Supporting specification through NBS

As part of this UK campaign, Novastruct UK is using the NBS platform to make specification information more accessible, structured, and practical for design teams.

For architects and façade designers, NBS is often where product research, comparison and specification decisions come together. By presenting Novastruct UK systems through this recognised specification environment, it can help specifiers find the information they need in a format that supports their workflow.

This is about more than visibility. It is about giving project teams reliable technical content that can support better decisions from the earliest stages of design. Clear product data, relevant performance information, and specification-ready content help reduce uncertainty, improve coordination and support more confident product selection.

When design teams are working to demanding requirements around energy performance, façade integrity, sustainability, safety, aesthetics and long-term value, access to dependable information is essential. Novastruct UK’s presence on NBS is intended to support that need: helping specifiers assess options, develop robust specifications, and connect product choices to wider project outcomes.

Continuity, with renewed focus

Under the Novastruct UK identity, the business is focused on maintaining trusted relationships while creating a stable platform for future growth. That includes supporting key partners, strengthening technical engagement, and ensuring customer experience continuity throughout the transition.

The appointment of Peter Webbon as Commercial and Development Director for Novastruct UK reinforces this direction. His role supports a clear UK focus: guiding commercial strategy, developing opportunities, and helping to ensure that customers and partners are supported with reliability, technical precision, and a collaborative approach.

Looking ahead

Novastruct UK represents a positive step forward for UK specifiers. It brings together a proven aluminium systems heritage with a refreshed brand, stronger organisation, and clear commitment to specification support.

As part of this transition, its established AA range becomes System X: a clearer structure for its core aluminium façade, window and door systems. Under System X, FSX identifies its façade systems, WSX its window systems and DSX its door systems.

FSX 100, FSX 110, WSX 720, RT 72, GT 70 S.

This gives specifiers a more consistent way to recognise and select Novastruct UK solutions across project types, while maintaining the proven performance and technical support they expect.

Kawneer is now Novastruct UK, and the support continues. With renewed focus, structured information through NBS and a commitment to long-term partnership, Novastruct UK is here to help specifiers shape buildings with clarity, confidence, and performance-led thinking.

Shape your vision.

See Novastruct’s new look.

New NBS LCA platform to transform construction project carbon reporting

NBS — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Launch of practical LCA platform addresses major market pain points as carbon reporting surges.

21 May 2026

Today, NBS (part of Hubexo), the platform for connected construction information, launches NBS Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (LCA), a cloud-based carbon assessment platform purpose-built for everyday construction projects. NBS LCA is designed to help professionals understand, quantify and report on the carbon impact of building materials, products and systems as projects develop.

Tackling market pain points

Professionals have historically been forced to choose between time-intensive, spreadsheet-led approaches to carbon measuring, or complex, specialist software. NBS LCA provides an accessible, practical and reliable solution at an affordable cost, built specifically for UK construction workflows.

The platform addresses the shortfall in readily available, high-quality and easy-to-use carbon data, as identified in AECOM’s 2025 report for The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on ‘The practical, technical and economic impacts of measuring and reducing embodied carbon in new buildings’. NBS LCA provides high-quality data from raw material extraction through to system level and whole-building elements, for both generic and proprietary content.

With more than 50 years of industry experience connecting specifiers and manufacturers, and specifications with design decisions, NBS is ideally placed to launch a trustworthy LCA platform to market.

Construction’s carbon reporting revolution

Three-fifths of construction professionals now track upfront embodied carbon, while over half use digital tools for lifecycle analysis. Design teams are recognising the competitive advantages of providing accurate carbon assessments from project inception, with clients, regulators and investors increasingly valuing extensive sustainability data.

Key features of NBS LCA (developed alongside partners BDP and Circular Ecology)

Carbon assessments for generic materials and manufacturer products, which users can access, filter and compare
Structured embodied carbon data for over 500 construction materials from Circular Ecology’s Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) Database, the UK’s leading source of trusted generic embodied carbon data
Verified manufacturer-specific carbon data from NBS Source and published through the ECO Portal, including 12,500+ specification-ready construction products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
1,300+ pre-calculated generic assemblies, developed by NBS and major international architecture and engineering firm BDP, with users able to instantly apply carbon rates to pre-configured common building elements such as walls, floors, and roofs
Accessible, high-quality carbon assessments, reducing the need for complex software skills and enabling users to easily update assessments as projects develop

Built for everyday projects

Unlike specialist LCA tools for complex assessments, NBS LCA enables proportionate carbon evaluation across everyday projects, allowing design teams to make informed decisions early in the development process without relying on labour-intensive or manual calculations.

Dr Lee Jones, Head of Sustainability, Hubexo, says: “We often hear from architects and engineers that they’re spending hours manually compiling carbon data in spreadsheets or facing challenges with complex software for what should be the core part of the design process. NBS LCA puts carbon assessment capabilities into the hands of the professionals making decisions every day, providing tangible efficiency benefits alongside commercial advantages as the industry continues to take carbon reporting more seriously.”

Julia Yao, Associate, Sustainability Consultant, BDP, added: “A major factor in low carbon construction and design is the availability of transparent, consistent data, as well as carbon metrics that a multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers, contractors and sustainability specialists can work towards. Without this, it is difficult to measure performance or have a meaningful impact. Collaborating with NBS on the development of this new platform, and the Guide to Embodied Carbon Calculations, has enabled us to establish that shared, cross disciplinary understanding of data benchmarks, and make real progress with access to quality data.”

Dr Craig Jones, Founder & Managing Director, Circular Ecology, says: “With a wealth of EPD data and pre-calculated generic assemblies, the NBS LCA platform empowers project design teams to find clear and actionable environmental savings.”

Regulatory winds of change

NBS has launched NBS LCA, as well as a comprehensive guide to embodied carbon calculations, at a time when new UK regulation on carbon reporting is fast-approaching. With the Government outlining its commitment to responsible carbon reporting through its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, NBS LCA offers a user-friendly solution for construction professionals preparing for anticipated regulatory shifts.

NBS LCA is available now, with flexible subscriptions designed for all professionals. For more information, visit the website here.

Cornerstone SuperTherm pilot improves thermal performance of St Austell Market House by up to 75%

NBS — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

29 April 2026

Market House is a Grade II* listed civic building, often called the “jewel in the crown” of St. Austell. Despite its status, years without insulation left it in decline. See how Cornerstone used technology to assess thermal performance and inform future thermal upgrades in solid-walled buildings in the Southwest.

A first step for the town hall

With Cornwall Council’s long-term vision for Market House defined, the first priority was to improve the thermal performance of the large first-floor assembly room, the former town hall.

As a pilot project, this was the first thermal upgrade and an opportunity to gather data to inform future projects on historic buildings across the Southwest.

The challenge

Improving thermal performance meant tackling significant heat loss through the building’s solid, uninsulated walls. Granite’s high thermal conductivity and long periods without heating left the space cold, damp and in decline.

With large arched windows and high ceilings, the space had striking character, but the walls and window reveals contributed to significant heat loss.

With conventional internal or external insulation not feasible, any intervention needed to be compatible with the building's fabric, preserve architectural details, and avoid trapped moisture and condensation. A breathable insulating plaster was the ideal solution to improve thermal performance of the solid walls and reduce thermal bridging at window reveals, without compromising the fabric or appearance.

The solution

Working closely with Cornwall Council, the existing internal plaster, skirting boards, and surrounding ceilings were removed to prepare the space for SuperTherm.

Cornerstone’s most insulating lime plaster, SuperTherm has a K-value of 0.04 and would function as a thermal layer and basecoat, improving insulation while remaining highly vapour-permeable to manage moisture effectively.

Applied by spray and hand methods, the Natural Plastering Company applied 35mm of SuperTherm to the main walls, and 25-80mm within the window reveals. Once the base layer was complete and damp cured for seven days, a 6mm layer of SuperTherm Finishing Plaster was applied.

Performance testing and thermal imaging

Throughout the 15-month project period, independent performance monitoring was implemented pre- and post-application. The Elemental Cube™ was deployed to ensure accurate testing throughout the project, creating a one cubic meter of temperature-controlled space both internally and externally to the building.

Heat flux sensors and GreenTEG U-value kits were also used to obtain an average U-value for each wall section and to identify any inaccurate U-values to discard.

To ensure that each location tested had an accurate representation of the specific orientation and wall construction, a thermal camera was used. The camera analysed heat transmission through the façade to identify anomalies that may cause inaccurate data, such as thermal bridging, cold spots, or inconsistent insulation.

Thermographic inspection showed orange areas with high heat transfer, while light blue indicated lower transfer.

The results

For the main external wall, the initial application of SuperTherm improved the U-value from an average of 2.18 W/m²K to 1.07 W/m²K, an average improvement of 68.3% compared to the uninsulated solid stone wall. Once cured, the U-value improved further to 0.74 W/m²K, demonstrating continued performance gains from carbonation over time.

Before the works, the U-value of the window reveals was about 38.5% higher than that of the main external wall, indicating significant heat loss despite their proportionally smaller area.

After the initial application, the window's U-value improved from an average of 3.22 W/m²K to 1.06 W/m²K, an average improvement of 67.1%. Once cured, performance improved further to 0.81 W/m²K, an additional 23.6% improvement in thermal performance.

“Using The Elemental Cube™, we measured a 74.8% improvement in thermal performance with SuperTherm, resulting in a dramatic reduction in heat loss through solid stone walls, while maintaining compatibility and breathability. That's the kind of results that really make a difference to how a building feels to live or work in.”

Jason Ratcliffe, The Wellbeing Surveyor in Partnership with Cornwall Council

SuperTherm and SuperTherm Finishing Plaster will continue to carbonate over time, with further monitoring planned for Summer 2026. This pilot project showed how SuperTherm can improve thermal performance in solid-walled heritage buildings without compromising historic building fabric.

Learn more about the pilot project and independent testing with the Cornwall Council SAMH Insulating Plaster Report.

For more information, visit www.cornerstonemortars.co.uk or contact us at info@cornerstonemortars.co.uk.

Why CCPI compliance is a non-negotiable for the construction industry

NBS — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In February, Ravago Building Solutions UK became the first insulation manufacturer to be assessed as conforming to the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) across its entire XPS construction product range. While some manufacturers have obtained that status for individual products, Ravago is the first to have its entire Ravatherm XPS construction product portfolio assessed. For Ravago, this wasn’t about chasing a label. It was about proving that its words and products stood up to the highest levels of scrutiny and about setting an example for the rest of the industry. It also reflects a broader responsibility: to support a culture in which product information can be relied upon at every stage of a project, from early design through installation and beyond.

The CCPI was created to address unreliable, ambiguous, and sometimes exaggerated claims that have crept into the market. We’ve all seen how that can lead to confusion, mistrust and, in the most serious cases, unsafe buildings. Developed by the Construction Products Association and administered by Construction Product Information Ltd, the scheme demands evidence for every claim, information that is kept up to date, and product data that is clear, accurate and accessible across the supply chain. In practice, this means manufacturers must be able to demonstrate not only what their products can do, but also how those claims are substantiated and maintained over time.

When Ravago Building Solutions first looked at the CCPI framework, it recognised immediately that it reflected the way the company already works and aspires to keep improving. Transparency has always been central to Ravago’s approach, and being CCPI-assessed gives it the opportunity to publicly hold itself accountable to that principle. The process was challenging, and rightly so. The company had to examine every aspect of how it operated, from the training of its staff to the way records were kept to the language used in its literature. Jargon was stripped away and replaced with facts, supported by reliable data.

This was not a quick tick-box exercise. It was an opportunity to reaffirm Ravago’s values: professionalism, entrepreneurship, humility, and a focus on people. For Ravago’s customers, it meant one thing: when you select Ravatherm XPS X, you know exactly what you are getting.

The wider benefits of the CCPI are clear. It creates a level playing field and removes the space where vague claims and corner-cutting can thrive. But for it to truly deliver the cultural change demanded by the Grenfell Inquiry, every manufacturer must go beyond compliance and embrace the spirit of the Code. Those who treat CCPI as a bureaucratic hurdle or search for loopholes risk undermining the very progress our industry desperately needs.

If the CCPI is to solve the issues it was designed to address, specifiers must have confidence in its trustworthiness. For it to thrive, all manufacturers need to support this voluntary scheme wholeheartedly. Not least because if it fails, the alternative could be a truly cumbersome statutory regime imposed by those less familiar with the realities of construction. Plus, it seems inevitable that CCPI will soon become a requirement for many public and private projects, and non-accredited manufacturers risk finding themselves being left behind.

Ravago sees assessment as a starting point, not a finish line to celebrate passing and then quickly forget. Maintaining CCPI standards requires ongoing effort, regular audits, and a willingness to continually improve. That is how trust is built and sustained. Whether voluntary or mandatory, transparency is undoubtedly a good thing, and those who are embracing the CCPI early are already strengthening their reputations.

CCPI assessment is not just a badge. It is a commitment to doing things properly. Ravago has taken that step and believes the industry will be stronger when others do the same.

Futurebuild 2026

Ravago Building Solutions UK will be attending Futurebuild (12-14 May) at Excel London. Head to Stand J86 on the Green Roof Organisation (GRO) Pavilion to meet the team. For more information, visit Ravago Building Solutions UK.