BREEAM

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an international environmental certification system for construction, which can be used to assess the environmental, social, and economic responsibility of properties. BREEAM informs the design, construction, and operation of a building, and the scoring takes into account country-specific differences in legislation, conditions, and practices.

Selection of materials has the largest impact on the BREEAM score. With Finnfoam Oy’s insulation solutions, our customers are better equipped to obtain a BREEAM certification for their building in terms of the following aspects of the BREEAM requirements based on the BREEAM International New Construction 2016 document:

ENERGY 

Energy (Ene 01)

Aim:
To recognize and encourage buildings designed to minimize operational energy demand, primary energy consumption, and CO₂ emissions.

How Finnfoam can help:

  • Finnfoam’s mold-proof, plastic-based thermal insulation products can be used to reduce loss of heat in buildings to effectively decrease thermal loss through structures, thus producing buildings that are structurally more energy efficient. Energy efficiency also has a substantial impact on the life-cycle environmental impact of the building (see materials).

MATERIALS

Life-cycle impacts (Mat 01), responsible sourcing of construction products (Mat 03), and insulation (Mat 04).

Aim:
To recognize and encourage the use of robust and appropriate life cycle assessment tools and consequently the specification of construction materials with a low environmental impact (including embodied carbon) over the full life cycle of the building.

How Finnfoam can help:

  • An Environmental Product Declaration (RTS EPD) has been drawn up for each Finnfoam product.​
  • Structures created using Finnfoam insulation products do not need separate vapor barriers or windproofing panels, which means that they also allow for reductions in the consumption of other materials.
  • Finnfoam Oy has implemented a certified and audited ISO 9001 quality management system and ISO 14001 environmental management system.

    ISO 9001 (PDF, 543 kB)
    ISO 14001 (PDF, 543 kB)
     
  • Our products carry CE markings.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Responsible construction practices (Man 03)

Aim:
To recognize and encourage construction sites which are managed in an environmentally and socially considerate, responsible, and accountable manner.

How Finnfoam can help:

  • All thermal insulation products sold by Finnfoam Oy in Finland are manufactured domestically.
  • Finnfoam Oy’s range comprises all plastic-based thermal insulation, which means that we can deliver different plastic-based thermal insulation products in a single shipment. This reduces transport needs. Explore our product range!
  • Finnfoam’s Oy thermal insulation products are packaged such that the environmental impact of the packaging is minimized. Larger lots delivered to construction sites can be delivered on pallets secured with binding straps. FINNFOAM insulation packs are delivered on pallets with eco spacers consisting of strips of Finnfoam panels that can be used as thermal insulation.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Indoor air quality (Hea 02)

Aim:
To recognize and encourage a healthy internal environment through the specification and installation of appropriate ventilation, equipment, and finishes.

How Finnfoam can help:

  • The Building Information System RTS has granted Finnfoam thermal insulation products the M1 Emission Classification for low-emitting building materials.
  • Finnfoam insulation products do not release particles or gases that are hazardous to health.

WASTE

Construction waste management (Wst 01)

Aim:
To promote resource efficiency via the effective and appropriate management of construction waste.

How Finnfoam can help:

  • Finnfoam Oy has implemented a recycling system for plastic insulation waste. FF-Recycling bags are used to collect plastic insulation waste at both construction sites and hardware stores, and the collected waste is reused as material in our plant in Salo. FF-Recycling bags can be used for all excess EPS, XPS, and PIR insulation materials and off-cuts, expanded polystyrene used as packaging, and polyethylene or polypropylene foam materials regardless of their manufacturer. Any paper, aluminum, moisture, or dirt on the surface of the insulation products does not affect their recyclability. The recycling bags cannot be used for phenolic insulation materials, PVC plastics, or other construction materials. FF-Recycling bags can thus be used to reduce the amount of waste at worksites.  Learn more about the FF-Recycling bags