Kingspan releases new Lower Embodied Carbon Steel range

Kingspan’s LEC Structural Steel is the latest addition to its Lower Embodied Carbon solutions range. Made with 75% recycled content, LEC Structural Steel has been developed to help reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects.

Using comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data to the EN15804+A2: 2019 standard, the range demonstrates a 66% reduction in embodied carbon in modules A1-A3 (product stage) and an overall reduction of 63% in embodied carbon across LCA modules A – C (product stage, construction process stage, use stage, end of life stage), when compared to existing equivalent Kingspan products [1]. The LEC Structural Steel product range is now available in the UK and Irish markets.

Kingspan SFS products are already providing high performance framing solutions to the public, private and commercial sectors. LEC Structural Steel showcases our dedication to delivering high-performance framing solutions in an environmentally responsible manner.

The LEC Structural Steel products include

 – KC C Section Profile LEC Mezzanine Floor
 – KS Sigma Profile LEC Mezzanine Floor
 – Multideck LEC 146, 50, 60 & 180
 – Multibeam LEC Purlin
 – Kingframe LEC Structural Steel Frame System

The KC C Section Profile has web depths ranging from 150-200mm, flange sizes of 63.5-70mm, and gauges from 1.2mm to 2.6mm and is compatible with profiled cleats featuring 14mm and 18mm hole patterns. In contrast, the KS Sigma Profile offers web depths from 150-300mm, flange sizes of 70-100mm, and gauges from 1.2-2.4mm, enhancing performance with a positive clamping effect. Multideck LEC is a composite steel floor decking system with a range of different profiles, tailored to meet project needs with varying minimum slab depths, gauge ranges, and cover widths.

The Multibeam LEC Purlin is a versatile roofing solution accommodating different roof cladding and structures, offering flexibility with bay widths up to 15 meters and a 95mm flange width to meet specific roof sheeting requirements.

Kingframe LEC Structural Steel Frame Systems provide significant time savings, surpassing blockwork with an installation speed exceeding 60%. Delivered off-site in an assembled state, they come with factory-fitted sheathing board or QuadCore/K-Roc Karrier panels, ensuring precision in assembly and achieving an impressive on-site installation rate of up to 388 m2 per day – eight times faster than traditional methods.

‘Prioritising carbon reduction’

Sandra Del Bove, Head of Innovation for Kingspan Group, says: “At Kingspan, we believe advanced material science holds the key to addressing the impact the construction industry has on the planet. LEC Structural Steel emerges as a significantly more sustainable option compared to conventional steel framing solutions, prioritising carbon reduction throughout its entire lifecycle.

“The inclusion of the LEC Structural Steel range exemplifies Kingspan’s commitment to addressing the current climate challenges, aligning seamlessly with our Group ten-year sustainability programme, Planet Passionate, and underscoring our aspiration to be a global leader in sustainability.”

The LEC Structural Steel range is the latest development in Kingspan Insulated Panels’ push towards providing solutions to the industry’s need for lower embodied carbon products, following on from the successful launch of the QuadCore LEC range of insulated panel products last year.

Reference

1] The GWP Total indicator is used in this instance to denote the ‘embodied carbon’ of the product. Third party-verified EPDs for both products are available on EPD Hub. Products within Kingspan’s lower embodied carbon (LEC) ranges are lower in embodied carbon when compared to the existing comparable Kingspan product.