Quarter one delivered no surprises to market performance. Volume levels were in line with forecasts, but there was continued growth in tested systems. It is widely acknowledged that we will see a recovery within the construction industry, weighted towards the second half of the year. While optimism remains, it is a cautious optimism given the wider global macro-economic factors that could again result in more volatility. Tariffs are becoming most people’s least favourite word of the year!

Industry forecasts are marginally down from six months ago, but it’s hoped we will see a gradual recovery, supported by interest rate cuts to stimulate consumer confidence and confidence in the new build market. However, local planning consents and other barriers to building still need addressing. Against a backdrop of sustainability targets and decarbonisation initiatives, the construction industry is on a journey of evolution. Some current trends and the resulting changes are driving innovation – particularly among manufacturers who must ensure that products and solutions contribute to broader goals.

Even the smallest Innovation can have a notable impact on sustainability and the development of low carbon building materials for new construction projects. By reducing levels of embodied carbon through specified materials, buildings can begin their lifecycles from a sustainable foundation.

But innovation is more than unlocking opportunities in material reuse and the circular economy. Construction professionals are more frequently using digital tools to maximise sustainability, efficiency and data integrity, and maximise the potential of building products.

For example, our BIMlocker digital construction tool actively helps architects and specifiers mitigate risks from the design process – helping to preserve the quality and accuracy of system performance data and strengthen the golden thread. We’ve also launched a self-serve thermal calculator that builds on its predecessor, which offers enhanced functionality by integrating U-value calculations with condensation risk analysis in a single tool. It provides fast and accurate thermal performance measurements for floor, roof, and wall elements.

As a leading supplier to the industry, we’ll continue to support customers to drive through innovation in the delivery of new and improved buildings with high-quality products, systems and services.