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Keim Mineral Paints have been used by Helena Housing Association on various estates in St Helens to refurbish existing properties. The major problem was of carbon staining on the exterior of the pebbledash render which is a result ofthe towns history and growth based on coalming and heavy industry. Since these industries have been declining St. Helens has been developing new industries while also introducing rejuvenation programmes. Keim Mineral Paints say that Heleba Housing Association has completed a 4-year paint programme with Keim Mineral Paints. The programme involved a number of the Association's buildings being refurbished in order to promote well being and boost area pride.

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Ward Insulated Panels has revealed a new environmentally friendly, natural colour coated system for its range of wall and roofing panels. Ward Spectrum is a "high-quality, polyurethane coated alloy substrate" which the company says is completely free of PVC, Phthalate, heavy metals and Chromate. Ward Spectrum's production process adheres to environmental regulations and the organic coated substrate can be recycled.

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Ward has also announced a large contract win in Newmarket. The company was commissioned to supply complete roofing and walling solutions for a warehouse facility on the Oaks, part of the Newmarket Business Park. Over 5,000m² of its IP1000 throughfix insulated panels in Goosewing Grey were used to complete the roof.

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Roofing manufacturer, Marley Eternit, is to expand its Hawkins clay plain tiles range with the introduction of a new colour, Blue Smooth. The addition of the new colour means that the Hawkins range is now available in Staffordshire Blue, Staffordshire Mixtrue, Dark Heather and the new Blue Smooth. Marley Eternit reports it has achieved an 'A' rating for its clay plain roof tiles in the BRE's Green Guide to Specification. This allows specifiers to obtain environmental credits for buildings under the BREEAM and Eco Homes schemes. Marley Eternit has made an investment of £19 million at its clay plain tiles facility in Keele, Staffordshire, as part of its on-going commitment to making clay an affordable option. By adapting manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and cutting carbon emissions, the company hopes to change the perception that clay tiles are unsustainable and expensive. Marley Eternit marketing manager, Sarah Hanlon, said: "This new colour gives specifiers the opportunity to create a quality finish, which is continually underlined by PPS3."

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Roofing manufacturer, Marley Eternit, is to expand its Hawkins clay plain tiles range with the introduction of a new colour, Blue Smooth. The addition of the new colour means that the Hawkins range is now available in Staffordshire Blue, Staffordshire Mixtrue, Dark Heather and the new Blue Smooth. Marley Eternit reports it has achieved an 'A' rating for its clay plain roof tiles in the BRE's Green Guide to Specification. This allows specifiers to obtain environmental credits for buildings under the BREEAM and Eco Homes schemes. Marley Eternit has made an investment of £19 million at its clay plain tiles facility in Keele, Staffordshire, as part of its on-going commitment to making clay an affordable option. By adapting manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and cutting carbon emissions, the company hopes to change the perception that clay tiles are unsustainable and expensive. Marley Eternit marketing manager, Sarah Hanlon, said: "This new colour gives specifiers the opportunity to create a quality finish, which is continually underlined by PPS3."

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Building envelope and solar energy products specialist, Schüco International, has installed aluminium curtain walling and window systems for a newly constituted primary school in South Wales. The systems were installed in a new building purpose-designed by Caerphilly Borough Council Architects Department.

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Decra has ventured online to demonstrate the advantage of its lightweight steel roof tiles over traditional roofing materials. The tests include a comparison of speed and security of installation and impact resistance. The online speed demonstration uses a test roof area of 4m² and compares Decra's Oberon and Classic/Elegance tiles against traditional concrete, clay plain tiles and concrete interlocking tiles.

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Euroclad has unveiled its new space bar system, the Eurobar Extra Mast, the first adjustable spacer system designed to allow for greater insulating flexibility. The company said the Eurobar Extra Mast can accommodate depths of between 135mm and 280mm, is inherently strong and more efficient than static spacing systems.

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Knauf Drywall is lending its expertise to developers seeking to optimise accommodation and quality in buildings where ground space is at a premium. One example of this is its work at a landmark residential tower on Liverpool's waterfront. In this case a slim 130mm separating wall was used to save valuable space while also meeting fire resistance and acoustic requirements. Alexandra Tower at Princess Dock has separating walls that provide 120 minutes' fire resistance and 60dB RW airborne sound reduction between apartments. Contracts Director for dryline contractor, Mansell Finishes, Phil Bartley, said the 130mm construction exceeded requirements in on-site acoustic testing.

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Eurobond's Europanel and Rockspan systems have gained Confidex Sustain backing as Corus Colorcoat assessed cladding systems. The company reports that, as it is now part of the world's first "crade to grave" Carbon Neutral building envelope programme, projects using either Rockspan or Europanel can benefit from the Confidex Sustain pledge to offset the CO2 impact from the entire cladding system. This will span from manufacture through to the end of useful life.

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