The final report into the Grenfell Tower tragedy's found the British government knew the risks of combustible cladding, but failed to act.
The 17-hundred page document also highlights "systemic dishonesty" from those who sold building materials which meant the block in west London could easily catch alight. 72 people died in the fire in 2017. The Cavan based group provided some of the insulation used in the tower.
According to the inquiry, from 2005 until 2017, "Kingspan knowingly created a false market in insulation for use on buildings over 18 metres in height”.
In response, the company welcomed the report which they say explains "clearly and unambiguously" the type of insulation was "immaterial". It also says it has "acknowledged the wholly unacceptable historical failings that occurred in part of our UK insulation business" which they have "emphatically addressed".
They said in a statement to Northern Sound, today is another extremely difficult day for the relatives and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire and we extend our deepest sympathies to those impacted by the tragedy.
We welcome the publication of today's report which is crucial to a public understanding of what went wrong and why. It explains clearly and unambiguously that the type of insulation (whether combustible or non-combustible) was immaterial, and that the principal reason for the fire spread was the PE ACM cladding, which was not made by Kingspan.
Kingspan has long acknowledged the wholly unacceptable historical failings that occurred in part of our UK insulation business. These were in no way reflective of how we conduct ourselves as a Group, then or now. While deeply regrettable, they were not found to be causative of the tragedy. Kingspan has already emphatically addressed these issues, including the implementation of extensive and externally-verified measures to ensure our conduct and compliance standards are world leading. We remain committed to playing a leading role in providing safe and sustainable building solutions, including continuing to work with government and industry partners.
