Celotex and Grenfell Tower: Updates and information

The Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 was a terrible tragedy. Celotex, and the Saint-Gobain Group, reaffirm their deepest sympathies to everyone who has been and continues to be affected by the fire.

This site provides information on Celotex’s RS5000 product and on Celotex’s participation in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

The Inquiry hearings concluded with closing statements in November 2022 and the Inquiry is expected to publish its Phase 2 report in 2023. Celotex, with the support of the Saint-Gobain Group, has cooperated fully with the Inquiry in order to find out what happened and to ensure it does not happen again.

Since the Grenfell Tower fire, Celotex has undertaken a review of its process controls, quality management and approach to marketing to address issues discovered as part of its investigations following the Grenfell Tower fire and ensure that no such issues reoccur. Celotex recognises that this is an ongoing process. It is committed to continuous improvement.

Why were Celotex products used?

The design of the rainscreen cladding system on Grenfell Tower and the selection of the various components were decisions made by construction industry professionals. The professionals and contractors included parties who were contractually and professionally obliged to consider the fire safety of the building and its compliance with Building Regulations. Relevant Building Regulations in England focus on systems rather than on individual components: the external façade of a building with a storey height above 18 metres is required to “adequately resist the spread of flame”. This is a question determined not in relation to individual components but by considering the overall design and effect of the system in which they are used.

Celotex was not responsible for these judgments: it did not take them and was not able or expected to take them.