Hi Jack, thanks for responding.
So the reused panels are good for lowering the embodied carbon on a project, but their demand is so high in the last couple years, that there is nowhere near enough supply. Indeed, we’ve seen prices for the reused panels multiply. Furthermore, Kingspan are making a big deal about these companies that are buying up and redistributing the panels. They’ve recently pointed out that the reused panels don’t include any warranties; and keen developers don’t like that risk.
All of the above doesn’t negate the low-carbon benefit of reusing panels: It just means that we have to encourage developers to ensure their panels make it into the circular market (for example, by not gluing finishes down); and it means the insurance market has some work to do, I think…
There are also calcium sulphate-based panels, as a lower carbon alternative raised access floor panel, but these are currently less readily available (fewer manufacturers), as I understand it.
Hence, we’re trying to think 5 years in the future, if the demand is only going to increase and more radical solutions might be considered, what are the more radical solutions that are likely to be top of the priority list?