Environmental credentials see Marley Eternit products specified by Neath Council

A South Wales council has recently specified two of Marley Eternit’s most sustainable roof coverings on recent housing renewal projects - thanks to the green credentials offered by the products. Marley Eternit’s pollution busting Ecologic roof tile was specified on new housing renewal projects being run by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (CBC), whilst the Rivendale fibre cement slate was specified for use on a third renovation project in the Upper Amman Valley Renewal Area. Neath Port Talbot CBC is currently in the process of renewing housing in three regeneration areas around the two towns. The primary aim of the project is to revitalise these areas, upgrading housing to a decent standard and provide an improved environment for local people. As part of the project, the council had a clear objective to carry out all renovation work in the most energy efficient manner possible, including specifying building products which offer proven energy efficiency benefits. Two of the locations are situated in built-up areas around Neath town centre, which has considerable traffic volumes resulting in related pollution issues. For this reason, the council opted for Marley Eternit’s Ecologic roof tile on both projects. The coating used on the innovative tile triggers a reaction under the influence of UV radiation in sunlight which converts harmful asthma-causing pollutant nitrogen oxides (NOx) into nitric acid ions. It is estimated that during its lifetime, an average-sized roof using Ecologic tiles could remove an amount of NOx equivalent to that emitted by a modern car driving 100,000 miles. Furthermore, the tile consists of approximately 50% recycled material. To date 80 properties with a combined roof area of 60m² per property have been re-roofed using 48,000 Ecologic roof tiles. By the time the conclusion of the renewal work in five years time, approximately 400 properties will have been renovated using approximately a quarter of a million Ecologic tiles. The third area being regenerated by Neath Port Talbot CBC is situated in the Upper Amman Valley where natural slate has traditionally been the material of choice for roof coverings. It is a common assumption that natural slate is an environmentally friendly product choice. Due to the high level of wastage when used and the dwindling levels of the material in the UK which means it is often imported, this is in incorrect. Looking for an environmentally friendly product, whilst maintaining a seamless blend with the traditional look and feel of the surrounding rural area, Neath Port Talbot CBC opted for Marley Eternit’s Rivendale fibre cement slate. The Rivendale’s finely detailed surface and dressed edges provide an outstanding resemblance to natural slate. The product is manufactured in the UK meaning that it is the only product of its kind that can achieve an A+ rating, as defined in the Building Research Establishments Green Guide to Specification. Work on a total of 70 properties has been completed using nearly 57,000 Rivendale fibre cement slates - with a further 202,500 slates expected to be used on 250 more properties before the end of the project. Neil Davies, operations manager for Neath Port Talbot CBC, says:“The environment is a priority for Neath Port Talbot Council and on all of our Renewal Area schemes we try to opt for products that will complement the look and feel of the local area, whilst taking into account the environment. Both the Ecologic tile and Rivendale fibre cement slates from Marley Eternit allowed us to do this, which is why we selected the products. Overall we were very pleased with the Marley Eternit products.” In addition to the green and sustainable solutions provided by Marley Eternit’s products, the borough council also benefitted from the company’s technical advisory service, with Marley Eternit’s technical advisory team helping to prepare fixing specifications for the two mater

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