Ecocel praises Cork City Council’s cellulose approval

The council has updated its specification for insulating attics at ceiling level to include a minimum depth of 300mm of either certain specifications of loft roll insulation or recycled newspaper-based cellulose fibre to BS5803 Part 5 1985. The decision on which product to use in any given installation will be made by Cork City Council.

The move was welcomed by Cork-based cellulose manufacturer John Egan of Ecocel. “It’s great that people in Cork now have the option to bring down their carbon footprint and improve their indoor air quality,” he said, adding that the hygroscopic nature of cellulose means it can take in and release moisture, thus allowing it to last the lifespan of the building.

“Our insulation, when installed in Ireland, is carbon negative. It sequesters carbon – and it lasts the lifespan of the building. Generally, the highest CO2 in all building materials is transport. We’re the only indigenous insulation manufacturer who source our own materials in Ireland.”

Egan called on all local authorities to follow Cork’s lead, and in so doing exceed the capacity of Ecocel’s Cork factory. “We wouldn’t consider expanding the plant in that case. We would open a plant in Dublin, to reduce transport emissions – both for the paper, and the insulation.”

The company is in the very final stages of securing a revised Irish Agrément certificate to include open-blown cellulose for attics and injection for timber frame walls and sloping ceilings, along with a CE marking.