Japan Home Textile Market Overview, 2030

The market for sandwich panels in the UK rose significantly during the reconstruction period after the war, as the need for quick, affordable, and long-lasting building materials grew to aid in constructing residences, industrial buildings, and commercial spaces. Initial obstacles focused on providing sufficient thermal comfort and energy efficiency in the UK's chilly, moist climate, since conventional masonry methods faced difficulties with effectiveness. This situation prompted the development of composite sandwich panels containing PU and PIR cores, which were later joined by mineral wool options to improve fire resistance. Their use was especially prevalent in commercial roofing and cladding projects, where benefits such as light weight, quick installation, and resistance to weather were crucial. On a technical level, sandwich panels consist of a structurally insulated core located between two sturdy facings, enabling them to serve both load-bearing and thermal insulation roles. This feature made them essential in modular constructions, refrigerated storage facilities, and distribution hubs. As time progressed, research and development in the UK shifted towards environmentally friendly cores and fire-resilient systems, aligning with more stringent building regulations and sustainability goals. A major challenge during the 1970s to 1990s was sound performance, particularly in urban areas with high housing density and mixed-use spaces. To tackle this, producers created acoustic-enhanced mineral wool panels and refined jointing techniques that minimized noise transfer while preserving energy efficiency. In primary industries such as retail, food processing, and transportation, advancements like built-in moisture barriers and antimicrobial finishes greatly increased usage, ensuring cleanliness and longevity. The emergence of sustainability certifications like BREEAM sped up the use of eco-conscious sandwich panels, as builders aimed to earn credits for thermal efficiency, low embodied carbon, and the ability to recycle.

According to the research report, ""UK Sandwich Panels Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the UK Sandwich Panels market is anticipated to add to more than USD 216.67 Million by 2025–30. In recent times, the sector has introduced carbon-reducing panel options, using eco-friendly cores, recycled surfaces, and enhanced insulation properties, to meet sustainability goals and the net-zero initiative. Leading companies from Kingspan to Tata Steel and regional modular experts now provide an extensive variety of products designed for different industries. A significant area of growth is in warehouse construction, where high-quality panels deliver effective envelope solutions that comply with UK Building Regulations, including standards for energy efficiency and air tightness. At the same time, the modular housing market is growing swiftly, especially for healthcare units and temporary buildings. Producers are providing pre-assembled panel systems that meet Part L of the Building Regulations, guaranteeing energy efficiency and quick setup. In the retail and food processing industries, there is a growing need for hygienic, food-safe surface panels that come with HACCP-friendly certifications and are easy to clean important for supermarkets, cold storage facilities, and food distribution. The ongoing rise in logistics and e-commerce has led to increased warehouse development. Top manufacturers supply fire-resistant roofing panels that comply with BS 476 fire safety regulations, ensuring the safety of occupants and business continuity. On the housing front, energy renovation projects are on the rise, especially under initiatives like the Green Homes Grant during its active period. Suppliers of insulated panels specifically designed for retrofitting roofs and walls are seizing this chance providing solutions that reduce energy costs and enhance thermal comfort while aligning with government incentives. These advancements illustrate a varied and evolving UK sandwich panels market, increasingly influenced by regulatory adherence, sustainability, and applications across sectors from logistics and healthcare to retail and energy-efficient housing.

The UK Sandwich panels by core materials is divided into EPS, Mineral Wool, PIR, and PU sandwich panels in the UK has undergone significant change in the post-BREXIT environment, prominently featuring the BSI British Standards Institution and the UKCA UK Conformity Assessed marking system. In the past, these insulation materials largely depended on the CE marking governed by the EU Construction Products Regulation CPR. However, since 2021, manufacturers supplying products to the UK market must comply with UKCA certification, with BSI acting as the national standards authority. Standards for Expanded Polystyrene EPS panels emphasize thermal efficiency, fire reaction classifications, and moisture resistance, with BSI implementing standardized approaches while necessitating independent UK-recognized conformity assessments for their labels. Mineral Wool panels, appreciated for their fire resistance and sound insulation properties, are required to adhere to benchmarks derived from BS EN 13162 and to demonstrate compliance with BS 476 fire safety standards. For Polyisocyanurate PIR and Polyurethane PU cores, there is increased scrutiny under Part L energy conservation and Part B fire safety of the UK Building Regulations, ensuring compliance with both low U-value performance and fire protection standards. A significant challenge for suppliers post-BREXIT has been dual certification many continue to export to the EU, thus maintaining CE marking in UKCA, which escalates costs and testing demands. To facilitate this transition, BSI has released Publicly Available Specifications PAS and guideline documents aimed at standardizing fire, thermal, and durability assessments. Crucially, compliance with UKCA provides builders, architects, and insurers reassurance about the safety and performance levels of products, while also backing the government's net-zero by 2050 initiative by mandating energy-efficient insulation methods. EPS, Mineral Wool, PIR, and PU panels are now required to navigate a more localized yet equally rigorous compliance framework, reconciling performance advancements with the practical aspects of post-BREXIT trade and regulations.

In the sandwich panels industry in the UK, by facing materials is divided into Aluminum, Cement Board, and Steel utilized in sandwich panels are evaluated according to stringent fire safety and moisture performance regulations, ensuring they meet the standards set by Building Regulations and appropriate BS guidelines. Aluminum facings are appreciated for being lightweight and resisting corrosion; however, during fire safety evaluations, they undergo testing in accordance with BS 476 Part 6 and Part 7, which assess flame spread and fire growth. Due to aluminum's low melting temperature, its effectiveness depends on protective coatings and its compatibility with non-combustible or fire-rated materials such as mineral wool to fulfill the requirements of Approved Document B. Cement Board facings are naturally non-combustible and have excellent fire resistance, commonly rated as Class A1/A2 under EN 13501-1, making them an ideal choice for cladding and roofing in buildings with high occupancy or those that are tall. They perform well in moisture and humidity assessments, resisting deterioration, mold, and water penetration according to BS EN 12467, which is particularly relevant in the UK’s moist climate and the moisture resistance standards laid out in Approved Document C. Steel facings, particularly those that are galvanized or coated, are prevalent in industrial and commercial settings due to their strength and longevity. Under BS 476 and the newly aligned UKCA standards, steel-faced panels are tested for fire durability, ability to support loads while exposed to fire, and resistance to corrosion. When paired with fire-resistant materials like mineral wool, they meet both the fire safety Part B and thermal/moisture management Part L and Part C standards. Moreover, all three facings must prove their resistance to condensation and water vapor according to BS EN ISO 13788, which is vital for uses such as refrigeration and sterile environments.

In the United Kingdom, the sandwich panels by application are divided into Clean Rooms, Cold Storage, Floors, Roofs, and Walls is closely linked to the energy efficiency and performance standards set forth in Part L of the Building Regulations and the Standard Assessment Procedure SAP that rates the energy efficiency of buildings. Within Clean Rooms, insulated panels typically featuring steel or aluminum surfaces are selected for their ability to maintain an airtight seal, consistent thermal performance, and compliance with hygiene standards, which helps control temperature, humidity, and levels of contamination effectively. The low U-values required by Part L contribute to reduced energy requirements for HVAC systems, while performance calculated by SAP aids in demonstrating compliance across the entire building. In Cold Storage, panels with high R-values, often made of PIR or PU cores, are crucial for minimizing thermal bridging and ensuring efficient maintenance of sub-zero temperatures; these panels undergo SAP modeling tests to demonstrate lower operational energy expenses. For Floors, insulation is implemented to reduce heat loss from the ground, and rigid panel systems are assessed according to Part L1A/L2A which covers new buildings and non-residential structures to meet the essential fabric efficiency requirements. In Roofs, insulated panels play a key role in enhancing thermal effectiveness, as the SAP assessments are influenced by roof U-values promoting the use of PIR, PU, or mineral wool panels that meet both thermal performance and fire safety standards. Walls, which typically constitute the largest area in buildings, gain advantages from insulated cladding panels that provide thermal, acoustic, and moisture protection; under Part L regulations, achieving compliance frequently relies on these wall systems meeting required U-values and airtightness criteria. SAP evaluations incorporate these insulation strategies into a comprehensive assessment of energy demand, carbon emissions, and adherence to UK net-zero objectives.

The sandwich panels in the UK by end user sector is divided into Commercial, Industrial, and Residential fields, with usage trends closely linked to energy efficiency standards as outlined in Part L of the Building Regulations and associated programs. In the Commercial field, the growth in logistics warehouses, retail centers, and office buildings creates a strong demand, as developers are required to meet strict U-value targets walls must be ≤0.26 W/m²K, roofs should be ≤0.18 W/m²K to adhere to Part L2A. Panels consisting of PIR and mineral wool cores are popular due to their effective thermal performance, fire safety features, and quick installation, while SAP calculations typically highlight their role in lowering energy costs during operation. In the Industrial field, the strongest adoption is found in cold storage facilities, cleanrooms, and manufacturing spaces. Here, the performance standards are more rigorous due to the energy requirements of processes, necessitating panels that have very low U-values and airtight facings. Energy modeling as per Part L2B ensures these sites effectively reduce heat gain/loss, while initiatives like BREEAM and ISO 50001 frameworks promote the use of high-efficiency insulated panels for sustainable long-term practices. The Residential sector has experienced gradual growth in the uptake of these panels, especially in modular housing and retrofitting projects. With Part L1A/L1B introducing stricter insulation criteria for both new and existing homes, sandwich panels are being applied in roofs, walls, and floors to fulfill SAP guidelines for household energy efficiency. Their prefabricated design enhances construction speed, supporting housing development goals. Furthermore, programs such as the Green Homes Grant and ECO Energy Company Obligation have motivated retrofitting efforts with insulated panels to achieve required U-values and minimize carbon footprints.


Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Sandwich Panels Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Core Materials
• Expanded Polystyrene
• Mineral Wool
• Polyisocyanurate
• Polyurethane

By Facing Materials
• Aluminum
• Cement Board
• Steel

By Applications
• Clean Rooms
• Cold Storage
• Floors
• Roof
• Walls

By End Use Sectors
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Residential

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Home Textile Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Product Type
• Bed Linen & Bed Spread
• Bath & toilet Linen
• Kitchen Linen
• Upholstery
• Floor

By End User
• Residential
• Commercial

By Distribution Channel
• Super/Hypermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Online
• Other Channels  Show more