Mineral wool insulation manufacturer, Knauf Insulation, has launched what it says is the UK’s first system to automate the installation of blown glass mineral wool during off-site manufacturing.
Knauf says the new system, called Supafil Frame, could shave hours off the process of insulating modular homes. It blows un-bonded glass mineral wool into wall panels at the point of manufacture and can reduce the time it takes to create a single panel whilst limiting waste and improving quality.
Developed in conjunction with Stewart Milne Timber Systems, it saves off-site manufacturers time by removing the need to cut and install conventional rolled mineral wool or rigid board insulation in each panel. This makes the production process quicker while ensuring that there are no gaps in the insulation, which can significantly reduce performance.
In contrast to ‘wet’ blown systems that use plastic-based insulation and can only be installed within a fixed temperature window, Supafil Frame works at room temperature all year round.
Knauf says that the virgin glass mineral wool used in its proprietary system has a Euroclass ‘reaction to fire’ rating of A1 non-combustible. The mineral wool can also be compressed by 72% – meaning it takes up a third of the space both in transit and storage compared to plastic-based insulants.
Asif Dar, technical support team manager at Knauf Insulation, said: “The surge in popularity of modular construction is partly the result of the wider industry’s aim to plug the shortfall in the UK’s housing stock. But it relies on all of the processes being as efficient and quick as possible.
“We worked with Stewart Milne Timber Systems to implement a system that would reduce the time needed to install insulation, improve thermal, acoustic and fire performance and reduce waste.”
Supafil Frame has reportedly achieved a Gold rating for indoor air comfort from independent test body Eurofins, certifying that it is an outstanding material according to indoor air quality emissions regulations. It has also been shortlisted in the Product Innovation category in this year’s Structural Timber Awards and Building Awards.
Speaking about the Supafil solution and associated installation methodology, Stewart Dalgarno, director of product development at Stewart Milne Group, said: “We are really proud to be the first in the UK to invest in this innovative technology. We feel we are leading the way and are excited to see how it develops over the coming years.”
Supafil Frame can be fully-automated or manually blown in. A range of cost options is available to fit a variety of needs, and the system can be scaled depending on requirements.
