Cladding manufacturer stops high-rise sales of Reynobond PE

Arconic has discontinued global sales of Reynobond PE cladding for high rise buildings, in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.

The manufacturer, which makes the aluminium composite material (ACM) panels, cited “inconsistency of building codes around the world” and “code compliance” issues that have arisen following the tragedy.

The Grenfell Tower cladding used a Reynobond aluminium-faced rainscreen panel, which features a plastic core, according to the planning application lodged with Kensington and Chelsea council.

A statement from Arconic said: “Arconic is discontinuing global sales of Reynobond PE for use in high-rise applications. We believe this is the right decision because of the inconsistency of building codes across the world and issues that have arisen in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy regarding code compliance of cladding systems in the context of buildings’ overall designs.

“We will continue to fully support the authorities as they investigate this tragedy.”

Earlier today, Celotex said it was stopping sales of the insulation used at Grenfell for use in rainscreen cladding systems in buildings over 18m tall.

The firm said: “In view of the focus on rainscreen cladding systems and the insulation forming part of them, Celotex believes that the right thing to do is to stop the supply of Celotex RS5000 for rainscreen cladding systems in buildings over 18m tall with immediate effect (including in respect of ongoing projects), pending further clarity.”