Knauf: shaping the foundations for safer, smarter construction
Knauf is the global leader in the manufacture of plasterboard, producing around one in four metres of the world’s plasterboard (or gypsum-based drylining).
When Knauf opened its first UK plasterboard plant in Sittingbourne in 1988, and two years later established the Immingham facility, its dual-site manufacturing capability quickly became the backbone of one of the countr y ’ s most important dr ylining supply chains, a key employer and skills provider.
Continually investing in manufacturing technolog y, the business is one of the largest g ypsum-based suppliers in the UK. For builders’ merchants, these two plants are far more than production hubs; they represent a long-term, UK-based source of reliable, high-performance products that can be specified and stocked with confidence
Safe and sustainable
In the UK, advanced insulation, heatexchange systems and process optimisation has helped Knauf deliver high-volume output while reducing environmental impact For merchants, this translates into consistent, high-quality product lines that can be relied on for a reduced carbon footprint as well as solutions that deliver superior fire-resistance, acoustic and impact-resistance.
Smart and considerate
Colour-coded boards at the factor y make it easier for site teams to select the correct
board, reducing specification errors and returns something branch managers know all too well when dealing with complex job-site requirements.
Superior standards
In 2010, Ian Stokes b e c ame Manag ing Dire c tor of Knauf UK & Irel and and has since b e come one of t he most inf luent i a l f igures in t he UK bui lding mater i a ls s e c tor. Ian s e es t he comp any ’ s role not just as supply ing pro duc ts, but as a c at a lyst for improv ing s afet y & st and ards, sk i l ls and pro cess es across t he supply chain His le adership has b e en def ine d by a fo c us on col l ab orat ion, innovat ion and long-ter m resi lience
For instance, Ian’s election to the Builders Merchants Federation B oard in 2024 reflects his consistent engagement with the merchant community and his understanding of the pressures and opportunities facing independents and nationals alike.
Under the leadership of Ian Stokes, Knauf has:
l Expanded UK manufacturing capacity, including a new plasterboard plant in Newport that when fully commissioned, will add more capacity to the UK market
and strengthen supply to the South and South West helping merchants improve availability and reduce reliance on imported material.
l Implemented digital tools focussed on first time order accuracy, and fast response times, without sacrificing the human interaction that Knauf ’ s customers so appreciate
l Invested in sustainability, with a focus on low-carbon processes and high-performance products, resulting in a 34% reduction in emissions in Knauf ’ s latest plasterboard EPDs compared to the previous documentation
l Deepened technical investment that has resulted in market-leading test data recency, and more tested system solutions to help navigate changing regulations, build safer projects and support the golden thread of information that the Building Safety Act demands
Ian’s long-term aspiration is to ensure Knauf is an enabler of safe, reliable and sustainable builds His message to the industr y is to collab orate, upskill and ref ine pro cess es s o that the spaces w here we live, learn and care are built on a foundation of shared resp onsibility and conf idence in safety.
Ian Stokes, MD of Knauf UK & Ireland
Since the introduction of the Building Safety Act, the UK’s building regulations and firesafety landscape have become increasingly complex. To help the industry navigate these changes, Knauf has evolved from a product supplier into a technical and compliance partner actively helping the sector raise industry standards.
Fire safety at the heart of product and support
The company ’ s dr ylining systems are designed specifically to meet and in many instances, exceed current fire-resistance and acoustic requirements for residential, education and healthcare projects Its advice, innovation and ongoing support underpin the Building Safety Act’s focus on safer, accountable construction
Merchants can therefore expect:
l Clear, up-to-date guidance on how new regulations and reforms affect dr ylining, including fire-safety and Building Safety Act implications, as well as Knauf ’ s 5As Guide, which helps branches understand fire test reports to more confidently advise on compliant solutions.
l System-based solutions that combine boards, fixings and accessories into tested, compliant assemblies, enabling merchants to supply complete systems rather than isolated components is supports the Golden read of information required from design through to completion
l Training and digital tools that help branch staff and customers understand key requirements, reducing the risk of incorrect specification and supporting safer site outcomes.
Knauf ’ s ‘ e Cube’ visitor and training centre in Kent underlines this commitment, offering hands-on training of how its
systems are built and are optimised for efficient installation is also includes practical training of the Knauf Airless Spray Finishing System.
“Knauf ’ s tested, system-based approach gives merchants the reassurance that the products they stock are designed to meet the latest regulator y expectations and suppor t a clear, auditable design route.”
For merchants, this means access to a supplier that doesn’t just provide boards but actively helps the industr y design out risk and build a more transparent, safety-led supply chain
Supporting the spaces where we live, learn and care
Knauf ’ s work in Immingham and Sittingbourne ultimately supports its core
purpose: supporting the safe creation of the buildings where we live, learn and care By focusing on high-performance fire-resistant boards and robust acoustic systems, the company helps merchants supply products that protect lives, support wellbeing and meet the standards set by a more safety-conscious industr y
For independent and national merchants, this means:
l Confidence in specification: Knauf ’ s tested, system-based approach gives merchants the reassurance that the products they stock are designed to meet the latest regulator y expectations and support a clear, auditable design route.
l Stronger customer relationships: Merchants can differentiate themselves by offering compliant, high-performance systems that specifiers and contractors trust, positioning themselves as central to the Golden read of information
l A long-term partnership: Knauf ’ s investment in UK manufacturing, ongoing product innovation and technical support delivers merchant partnerships that can drive safety standards
rough continued collaboration between builders’ merchants and the wider supply chain, Knauf is helping to build a safer, more resilient built environment for the UK one tested system at a time.
Knauf’s ‘The Cube’ visitor and training centre in Kent
Building high standards for customer experience and compliance
The goal is to make it easier to order, track deliveries, resolve queries and access the critical information required under the Building Safety Act Eric Dancer, Head of Customer S er vices at Knauf, explained: “Next year marks the 10th anniversar y of the Grenfell disaster, and merchants play a vital role in maintaining the Golden Thread of information required under the Building Safety Act
“Our technolog y has been shaped by extensive merchant feedback and delivers a ‘ wow factor’ in customer experience, alongside expert technical support on fire safety and product compliance ”
Accordingly, Knauf ’ s Customer Ser vice team answers calls within 23 seconds while last-minute order amendments “ can be made right up to dispatch,” giving merchants the flexibility to respond quickly to customer needs. Order day one, get it day three.
Removing the need for lengthy email chains or phone calls, merchants can use My Knauf or One Place to check their order status, download key documentation such as confirmations and PODs, and access live deliver y tracking directly into the branch.
These systems provide a consolidated view of orders, deliver y schedules and documentation, while automation improves both speed and accuracy Meanwhile in the warehouse, investment in SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) enhances stock accuracy and deliver y reliability, ensuring confidence that what’s ordered arrives on time and in perfect condition
This programme is shaped by ongoing consultation with merchants, driving continuous improvement across packaging, damage reduction, documentation and digital tools
Alongside support with promotions, new product onboarding and stock
transitions, Knauf provides fast, expert technical guidance. The Customer S er vices, Sales and Technical teams work closely together not in silos when a technical quer y arises, merchants can quickly access the expertise needed to specif y compliant systems and support their customers without delay
“This programme is shaped by ongoing consultation with merchants, driving continuous improvement across packaging, damage reduction, documentation and digital tools.”
Looking ahead, Eric’s vision is to use technolog y to free up time for Customer S er vice teams to work even more closely with merchants, strengthening partnerships and enhancing sales and ser vice support
Almost ten years on from Grenfell, it is essential that merchants can supply products backed by accurate, up-to-date test data quickly and efficiently.
“Products can no longer be swapped in and out, as this could compromise the integrity of the finished building,” adds Area Sales Manager Ryan Fox “It’s our responsibility as a manufacturer to support the highest standards of compliance across the supply chain
“Ever yone deser ves to feel safe in the home they live in That’s why we make it
easy for merchants to access our technical experts, giving them the confidence to advise contractors correctly ”
To this end, Knauf offers a comprehensive range of support, including its 5As Guide to interpreting fire test reports alongside CITB-accredited training courses for contractors at facilities in Immingham and Sittingbourne This combination of digital innovation, technical expertise and training is designed to help merchants grow sales while building confidence in fully compliant, trusted systems
Eric concludes: “We will continue to make it easy for customers to do business with us by prioritising first-time order accurac y, fast response times and access to the expert technical support needed to supply and specif y products safely and correctly supporting the Golden Thread across the supply chain ”
Knauf is placing UK merchants at the centre of a major multi-million-pound programme focused on service excellence and digital innovation.
Eric Dancer, Head of Customer Ser vices at Knauf
Build on trusted products
Knauf offers a comprehensive range of boards, jointing products and flooring solutions backed up with robust test data that comply with the applicable regulations on fire safety, acoustic comfort and build quality.
Manufactured in the UK and across Europe, Knauf dr ylining systems are designed to meet UK regulations and relevant European standards, offering solutions for ever yday domestic projects through to commercial partitions where fire, acoustics and duty ratings are essential
Standard Wallboard is ideal for refurbishment projects and new partitions. A strong, versatile lining board which provides a smooth surface ready for plaster, ready-mixed finishes or direct decoration
For smaller repairs and maintenance works, the 9 5mm Baseboard offers a handy-sized solution suitable for reactive works in occupied buildings, where reinstating fire-resisting linings quickly and correctly is an important part of ongoing building safety management.
In higher-humidity spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, Knauf Moisture Board combines enhanced moisture resistance with durability and fire performance For more demanding wet-area applications meanwhile, AQUAPANEL Indoor is the high-performance solution.
Manufactured from inorganic materials and highly resistant to water and mould, it delivers exceptional stability in challenging wet conditions and is designed for internal areas where durability and long-term performance are essential.
Where both acoustics and fire resistance are in focus, Knauf Soundshield Plus delivers enhanced sound dampening and
“All Knauf systems are tested to BS EN 1364-1, with fire test repor ts available to suppor t the ‘Golden Thread’ of building safety information.”
excellent fire performance when used as part of a tested Knauf system. This board delivers up to 120 minutes’ fire resistance, depending on the specific build-up, making it an ideal choice for separating walls.
All Knauf systems are tested to BS EN 1364-1, with fire test reports available to support the ‘Golden Thread’ of building safety information
Jointing products
In addition, Knauf jointing products are an essential component of a complete system
is a high-density dr y screed floor panel with a tongue and groove edge
For instance, Knauf Fill & Finish is a lightweight, ready-mixed jointing compound for bedding tapes and finishing joints in drywall partitions and ceilings, with very low shrinkage to help minimise cracking at board joints a common weak point that can undermine the integrity and appearance of linings over time.
Beyond the walls
Knauf ’ s Gypsum flooring is ideal for reliable floor build-ups enabling merchants to broaden the offer and support customers beyond walls and ceilings Knauf GIFA FHB
Ideal for use in a raised hollow floor system over pedestals, it can span between joists to create a stable base for floors in high load applications and cradle and batten systems
Stocking the full Knauf range allows merchants to support their customers with the right product for the right application as well as system-based guidance required under the Building Safety Act
n For more information on Knauf ’s full product portfolio, head to Knauf.com
Support fire safety compliance with Knauf’s 5As Guide
After extensive research in late 2025, Knauf uncovered a worrying lack of confidence across the sector in interpreting fire test reports a critical document required for verifying and documenting compliance around fire safety.
Fire test reports are a key part of the building safety information the aforementioned ‘Golden Thread’ that shows what was tested, on what basis, and whether a product or system is suitable for the intended use.
Under the requirements of the Building Safety Act, merchants now need to treat those reports as supporting evidence, not just product literature, made available to share with contractors who need to make informed decisions.
Products can no longer be substituted freely without checking the system evidence first, which means that merchants play a critical role in directing contractors to the right documentation and flagging when a report may be out of date or not applicable as well as supporting the supply of products that match the tested system
To help both merchants and their customers understand what to look for, where to look for it and why it is critical to fire safety per formance, Knauf has produced the 5As Guide
The 5As Guide is built around five checks authenticity, age, accuracy, applicability and availability to provide a simple framework for merchants and their customers to question whether the products they are supplying or installing meet the standards for compliance under the Building Safety Act
l Authenticity by confirming the fire test or classification report comes from a UKAS-accredited laborator y (or a recognised European equivalent), and
that it clearly identifies the manufacturer and system being tested
l Age of the test. This matters because an older report may not reflect current standards, current product formulations or today’s expectations around compliance A document more than five years old should be treated with caution and checked carefully with the supplier.
l Accurac y to verify the report refers to the correct standard This matters because the industr y is moving away from BS 476-based testing and towards EN test methods and classifications, so the documentation must match the method being relied on.
“Under the requirements of the Building Safety Act, merchants now need to treat fire test repor ts as suppor ting evidence, not just product literature.”
l Applicability which means comparing the “ as tested” arrangement with the proposed “ as installed” build as closely as possible If the tested system differs materially from what is being used on site, the fire test report may not be
appropriate and therefore reliable
l Availability is the final check: merchants should be able to access supporting reports easily, and those documents should be clearly linked to the exact product or system being supplied
“For merchants, the value of the 5As is that it simplifies complicated information and translates it into a practical everyday check,” says Jimmy Collins, Head of Technical at Knauf. “Merchants can therefore support compliance by challenging incomplete information, reducing the risk of supplying unsuitable products, and supporting better conversations with contractors who need confidence that the system they are ordering is properly documented.”
To make it easier for merchants to direct contractors to the right information and provide a dependable basis for product advice, Knauf ’ s fire test reports are available through the Knauf website and on the NBS specification platform For contractors, training is also offered through Knauf ’ s Learning Zones and Academy in Sittingbourne and Immingham, providing hands-on and technical courses on installing fire-rated dr ylining, partitions, and ceiling systems
Raising the bar on safety
Knauf has updated its plasterboard product data sheets to significantly improve accessibility, formally integrating neuro-inclusive design as a fundamental pillar of its operational performance and building safety standards.
According to a report published in 2023 by the National Federation of Builders (NFB) in collaboration with CITB, 25% of the industr y consider themselves to be neurodivergent a term describing differences in brain function, learning, information processing and behavioural traits including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia
Becky Broadbent, Knauf ’ s Sustainability Proposition Manager who led the project, said: “ This is not simply a design refinement It is a practical safety measure that supports better decisions from specification to installation, improving usability, confidence and reducing risk on site
“Fire safety decisions rely on robust product information, test data and installation guidance Therefore, accessibility is not a separate initiative from operational excellence it is essential to achieving safety, quality of application, and compliance ”
Product data sheets play a critical role across the entire value chain, providing essential guidance for the safe and correct use of key materials. By undertaking a review of its documentation to reduce
visual friction and improve typography, spacing, contrast and navigation, Knauf is ensuring technical guidance is intuitive and easily navigated
These improvements will now be implemented across all non-plasterboard product data sheets, directly supporting specifiers and installers to ensure compliance from specification to installation
Knauf ’ s move also aligns with the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) which now requires stronger
“This is not simply a design refinement. It is a practical safety measure that suppor ts better decisions from specification to installation, improving usability, confidence and reducing risk on site.”
controls over product information as well as audit trails, documented sign-off and clear internal processes affecting merchants too
Mark Charlesworth, Managing Director at Neuro Tide, adds: “ The CCPI wants product information to be clear, accurate, up-to-date, accessible and unambiguous in order to maintain quality and safety standards Knauf ’ s willingness to take this seriously is to be congratulated ”
n Knauf is now actively inviting industry feedback to understand the impact of the changes and guide further improvements to its product and safety information. Use the QR code to have your say:
Before and after: An example of Knauf's revised product data sheets (right), updated to integrate neuro-inclusive design
