2024 ended better than it began for construction. A modest recovery gradually gathered pace over the course of the year, and we begin 2025 with the expectation that the positive trend will continue, albeit at a slower pace than we would have previously expected.

The forecast is more optimistic for insulation specifically. With energy prices still volatile, good insulation that performs well will remain in demand for both new housing and retrofit.

Reasons for optimism then, but with a note of caution when we look at the global context. At the time of writing, the world is coming to terms with potential increases in trade barriers. New tariff regimes, including CBAM in Europe, will reshape global trade with inevitable knock-on effects on costs and availability. Construction products with an international supply chain could be affected.

Merchants can mitigate this risk by onshoring their supply chain. Wherever possible, stocking products made in the UK, using locally-sourced raw materials that are abundant and readily accessible, and therefore less susceptible to global trade disruption (whatever the cause).

Mineral wool insulation is a case in point. Taking our operations as an example; we make both rock and glass mineral wool at three manufacturing facilities in the UK. The primary raw ingredient for the latter is glass cullet, which is sourced locally via household recycling. As a result, mineral wool supply is less vulnerable to external factors.

In fact, the amount of mineral wool insulation made in the UK is increasing. We’ve just completed a capacity-boosting upgrade at our St Helens site to increase the supply of glass mineral wool, and last year we announced a new low-carbon rock mineral wool manufacturing facility that will add over 100,000 tonnes once operational.

‘Made in the UK’ has always been a mark of quality, as well as a proof point for sustainability. In these uncertain times, it may now also be a useful indicator of stable supply.