Paroc Panel System is now able to offer wall panels with a significantly lower carbon footprint, thanks to the use of recycled steel raw materials and renewable energy in the production of both stone wool and steel panels. The climate performance of the products has been verified in an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
Paroc Panel System’s sandwich panels for interior and exterior walls are used in warehouses and logistics properties, sports halls, and industrial buildings. Now, the panels are also available in recycled steel produced with renewable energy, which significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions without affecting other product properties. For the AST L LEC* panel type with a thickness of 200 mm and a U-value of 0.18, the saving is a whole 42 percent compared to traditional wall panels, calculated in kg CO2e/m2 for module A1-A3. These values have been verified in a third-party reviewed EPD that is registered with EPD-Norway.
“At the moment, we appear to be the only manufacturer that can offer wall panels with such a low carbon footprint and back it up with EPDs. This is part of our sustainability programme, Planet Passionate, aimed at reducing the climate impact from the built environment, increasing circularity, and protecting nature. We continuously work to make our manufacturing processes and products more sustainable, with the goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030,” says Eric Henningsson, Technical Director at Paroc Panel System.
Renewable Energy in Production
Paroc Panel System is certified according to BES 6001, meaning that the input materials have been sourced in a responsible manner. The wall panels are manufactured in the company’s factory just south of Turku in Finland, which is powered by renewable energy from a local electricity supplier along with the company’s own solar panels. The surplus heat from production is stored through geothermal heat and used to heat the premises during the winter months. The stone wool used in the panels is produced by a supplier on the same factory site using electric melting and renewable energy, minimising transportation, and carbon dioxide emissions.
BIM Models with CO2 Calculator
To facilitate architects and consultants, Paroc Panel System has developed BIM models with a CO2 calculator for all wall panels on the website. In addition, recycling of waste material from the construction site is offered through a partnership with Stena Recycling.
“We want to help our clients achieve their environmental and climate goals. This will become even more important when threshold values for buildings’ climate impact are introduced, which could happen as early as 2025. We also see that the economic incentives are increasing as the climate performance of buildings becomes increasingly important in financing and property valuation,” says Eric Henningsson.