Celotex withdraws RS5000 for tall buildings

Celotex is to stop the supply of RS5000 for use in rainscreen cladding systems in buildings over 18m tall.

In a statement, the company said: "Celotex is shocked by the tragic events of the Grenfell Tower fire. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating human tragedy.

"We have been supplying building products for over forty years and as a business our focus has always been to supply safe insulation products to make better buildings.

"We want to do everything that we can to support the Government’s ongoing response to the tragedy. We continue to offer our full cooperation with the investigations.

"Celotex notes the comments made by Scotland Yard in respect of the insulation used in Grenfell Tower. In view of the focus on rainscreen cladding systems and the insulation forming part of them, Celotex believes that the right thing to do is to stop the supply of Celotex RS5000 for rainscreen cladding systems in buildings over 18m tall with immediate effect (including in respect of ongoing projects), pending further clarity.

"Celotex manufactures and supplies the insulation product RS5000 for use in multicomponent rainscreen cladding systems for buildings over 18m tall. Safety testing was undertaken on RS5000 as part of a particular rainscreen cladding system and this is described in documents available on our website. As noted in those documents, any changes to components of the cladding system or construction methods used need to be considered by the relevant building designer.

"Given the developments, we wish to discuss with the authorities how we can restore confidence in the products that we supply to the above 18m market.

"At this early stage, it would not be appropriate for Celotex to make any further comment at this time."

Meanwhile, the US-based Arconic group has said it was "discontinuing" global sales of Reynobond PE cladding for use in tower blocks due to "issues" identified after the fire on 14 June, which is feared to have killed at least 79.

The firm said it had stopped sales of Reynobond PE for tall buildings, citing concerns about the "inconsistency of building codes across the world".

Following the Grenfell Tower fire, issues have arisen "regarding code compliance of cladding systems", it added.