SOPREMA, a global leader in waterproofing, insulation, and acoustic solutions, will be exhibiting at Education Estates 2025 on 14–15 October at Manchester Central. Visitors are invited to meet the SOPREMA team on Stand 328 to learn how the company’s expertise in both soundproofing systems and educational roofing projects supports the creation of safe, comfortable, and future-ready learning environments.

At this year’s event, SOPREMA will highlight two key areas of expertise:

• Acoustic comfort in education: SOPREMA’s advanced soundproofing products, including Purekustik, Fibrokustik, Soprakustik, Tecsound, Pavaflex, and Pavatextil, are designed to help schools, colleges, and universities meet the requirements of BB93: Acoustic Design of Schools. These solutions help reduce noise transfer, improve speech intelligibility, and create learning spaces that enhance wellbeing and performance.

• Complete roofing service for education: Alongside product innovation, SOPREMA provides a full-service approach to roofing for both refurbishment and new-build projects. From initial surveying and design through to technical specification, installation guidance, and aftercare, SOPREMA ensures that every stage of the project is backed by expert support. Solutions such as DUOFLEX and Alsan PMMA are not only designed for durability and efficiency, but also address the key compliance priorities of the education sector:

o BB100 Fire Safety in Schools
o Broof(t4) Fire Performance Compliant Systems
o BBA certification to demonstrate proven durability
o RAG ratings to support specification confidence

SOPREMA IN ACTION

This dual focus reflects SOPREMA’s commitment to working in partnership with clients to address both the acoustic performance and building fabric requirements of modern educational facilities.

Phil Griffiths, Development & Specification Director said:

“Education Estates is the ideal opportunity for us to demonstrate how our soundproofing technologies and complete roofing services come together to support the education sector. By combining innovative products with technical expertise and a lifecycle service approach, we help schools, colleges, and universities create spaces that are resilient, sustainable, and truly fit for purpose.”

Education Estates is the UK’s leading event dedicated to the design, construction, management, and maintenance of schools, colleges, and universities. The exhibition attracts estates and facilities directors, local authorities, architects, contractors, governors, advisors, and education leaders who are focused on shaping the future of learning environments.

www.soprema.co.uk

See more about insulation on Skill Builder

On 13 August 2025 at 9:13 am, a call was made to the fire service after an electrical fire broke out in a child’s bedroom in a timber-frame home occupied by a lone parent and their dependents. The fire was caused by a faulty electric fuel supply, which first ignited the bed and mattress.

Thanks to the rapid activation of an iMist Fire Suppression System, the blaze was confined to the bedroom, allowing the family to evacuate safely. The fire brigade mobilised at 9:20 am and arrived on scene at 9:34 am with two appliances, but by that time the fire had already been contained. All occupants escaped unharmed, and the rest of the house remained protected, demonstrating the effectiveness of early fire suppression in safeguarding lives and property in occupied homes.

“The safety and well-being of residents is always our top priority,” said Alex Pollard, Operations Director at iMist™ Fire Suppression. “The iMist™ system not only allowed the family to escape safely but fully extinguished the fire, saving lives and protecting property with minimal disruption.” The council initially believed the system had not activated due to the minimal water damage. This highlights one of the iMist™ system’s key advantages: it uses up to 80% less water than conventional sprinkler systems while still providing rapid and effective fire suppression.

Electrical fires are among the most common causes of domestic incidents in the UK, making early detection and rapid suppression critical to protecting families. According to House Fire Statistics (2024):

● Water-mist systems like iMist™ minimise post-fire water damage, reducing renovation costs by up to 70% compared to traditional sprinklers. The system is suitable for retrofitting into existing homes, as well as new builds.
● Rapid activation of iMist™ typically reduces fire spread by over 60% within the first 5 minutes.
● Fire suppression systems can reduce fire-related fatalities by up to 87% and property damage by up to 67% (NFCC/US Fire Administration).

Electrical fires remain one of the most common causes of domestic incidents in the UK, with more than 20,000 reported annually according to house fire statistics. Kitchens and bedrooms are particularly high-risk areas, making early detection and suppression critical in protecting families. iMist™ exceeds British Standard requirements by recommending a normally open Priority Demand Valve (PDV), ensuring the pump receives the full demand of the property during activation. While a standard 10-minute run time would have allowed safe evacuation, the iMist™ system’s 30-minute standard run time completely extinguished the fire within these high-risk spaces.

The incident reaffirmed the importance of advanced suppression systems in protecting vulnerable residents, particularly in high-density housing where fire spread can be rapid. The iMist™ system not only protected the family involved but also safeguarded neighbouring properties by confining the blaze to one room. Local authorities, housing providers, and developers are increasingly recognising fire suppression systems as essential to future-proofing homes, and this case provides a clear, real-world example of how innovative fire safety technology can save lives.

The iMist™ Fire Suppression System is engineered to detect and suppress fires swiftly, reducing the risk of injury and property damage. Its advanced technology makes it a trusted solution for domestic and residential settings, providing peace of mind and enhanced safety for occupants.

For more information about the iMist™ Fire Suppression System and its applications, please visit www.imist.com.

The Pallet LOOP, a member of timber and forestry business BSW Group, is proud to announce that another major materials manufacturer has signed up to use its circular economy pallets.

Cemex UK is the latest manufacturer to announce a pioneering partnership with LOOP, becoming the first business in the cement industry to do so, marking a major milestone in its efforts towards sustainable packaging solutions.

From October 2025, the core range of Rugby Cement products bagged at Cemex’s flagship plant in Rugby will be delivered on The Pallet LOOP’s distinctive green pallets – designed for recovery, repair, and reuse.

Cemex is the first cement manufacturer to adopt The Pallet LOOP’s circular pallet system, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation. This move is part of the company’s broader Future in Action strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through climate action, circularity, and natural resource management.

Vicki Elliott, National Sales Manager for Bagged Cement at Cemex UK, said: “This is a significant step forward for the cement industry. We’ve supported The Pallet LOOP from day one, signing its charter back in 2022. Now, we’re proud to be the first in our sector to integrate this solution into our supply chain. It’s about doing the right thing, as simply as possible – reducing waste, cutting carbon, and helping our customers make more sustainable choices.”

The Pallet LOOP is an award-winning pallet reuse scheme designed specifically for the construction sector. Its model addresses a long-standing issue in construction logistics: the single-use pallet. Historically, fewer than 10% of pallets in the sector have been reused, generating over 250,000 tonnes of wood waste annually. LOOP’s green pallets are FSC-certified, built for multiple trips, and backed by a nationwide collection service that offers Rugby Cement customers financial incentives for returns.

Cemex’s adoption of LOOP pallets will begin with its core Rugby packed product range; Premium Cement (paper and plastic bags); High Strength; and Sulfate; with plans to expand across the full portfolio in future phases.

Elliott added: “This partnership reflects our belief that small steps toward circularity can make a big difference. We’re excited to work with our customers and partners to drive positive change across the industry.”

Andy Williamson, Managing Director at The Pallet LOOP, said: “This agreement shows how forward-thinking manufacturers such as Cemex are reimagining their supply chains, not just for efficiency, but for positive environmental impact. By choosing our circular economy pallets, Cemex is proving that sustainability and smart business can go hand in hand. They join a growing number of material manufacturers that are now using our pallets to great effect – driving benefits for their business and their customers. We’re excited to get pallets rolling for Cemex early next month, marking another major step forward in changing how materials move across the UK construction industry.”

For more information on Cemex’s sustainability strategy, visit https://www.cemex.co.uk/future-in-action. To learn more about The Pallet LOOP, visit www.thepalletloop.com

The latest research from specialist lender, Octane Capital, has revealed the areas of the market that have delivered the lowest rental returns over the last three years, highlighting where landlords approaching the end of their mortgage terms may face the greatest difficulty in refinancing, as properties risk falling outside lender interest coverage ratio (ICR) requirements.

Octane Capital analysed average yields achieved across Great Britain since 2023 to reveal the lowest yielding areas.

The research shows that, across the UK market as a whole, the average rental yield over the last three years has sat at 5.7%. However, yields have varied widely, with certain regions consistently underperforming.

Scotland has posted the strongest returns with a three-year average yield of 6.2%, with the North East (5.2%) and North West (5%) also performing well.

The South East is home to the weakest returns, with investors seeing an average yield of just 4.1% since 2022. The East of England has also struggled at 4.2%, followed by the East Midlands at 4.2% and the West Midlands at 4.4%. London, despite stronger recent rental growth, has averaged 4.5% over the same period.

However, when analysis the market at a more granular level, Octane Capital found that it’s Kensington and Chelsea that ranks as the lowest yielding area of the UK market, where average yields have sat at just 2.8% across the last three years,

Richmond upon Thames (3.0%), Elmbridge in the South East (3.0%), Waverley in Surrey (3.0%), and Derbyshire Dales (2.7%) also ranked amongst the areas offering the weakest returns to investors.

Other weak performers include Powys in Wales (2.9%), South Hams in the South West (2.9%), North Norfolk (3.1%), Rutland (3.1%) and Uttlesford in the East of England (3.1%).

Jonathan Samuels, CEO of Octane Capital, commented:

“Our latest research highlights the difficult reality for landlords in low-yielding parts of the market, where properties may no longer fit within ICR requirements as they approach the end of their current mortgage terms.

For many, the result is limited refinancing options from mainstream lenders and this is where specialist finance plays a vital role.

Bridging and short-term lending can provide the flexibility needed to manage the transition, whether that means restructuring, selling, or re-investing into stronger performing assets. At Octane Capital, we are continuing to support landlords with fast, tailored solutions that help them navigate today’s more challenging buy-to-let landscape and low-yielding investments often form a key part of this activity.”

Data Tables and Sources

• Rental yield analysis by Octane Capital based on average house price (ONS) and private rental market statistics (ONS) between June 2020 and June 2025.
• View full data tables and sources online here.

The UK’s leading waterways engineering specialist, The Rothen Group, has shared a series of images taken by its employees in celebration of the hidden benefits of working on the waterways network, as it looks to encourage more young people into the sector.

The gallery follows on from a study by The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board which has predicted that by 2026, nearly 20% of the existing UK sector workforce will be near retirement or retired. By sharing images taken by its employees, The Rothen Group is hoping to inspire the next generation of engineers to consider a career working on the waterways to maintain the historic, 200-year-old infrastructure, as another school year soon comes to a close.

The Rothen Group specialises in marine and waterways engineering, with the business playing a critical role in maintaining the network so it can be used as a critical transport route and enjoyed by leisure boaters. Amongst the services it offers include dredging, towpath restoration, piling and specialist floating plant hire.

Alongside proactively maintaining the waterways, the Rothen Group also responds to emergent situations such as a towpath wall collapsing or damage occurring to a lock gate. Its team travel across the country to respond to emergencies, taking them to some of the nation’s most beautiful places.

Working in the great outdoors offers a series of benefits such as increased physical fitness and mental health. Additionally, the Rothen Group team holds a great sense of pride knowing that they are actively ensuring that future generations can enjoy the UK’s canals and waterways.

Ian Rothen, Managing Director at The Rothen Group said: “Working in the engineering sector can be incredibly rewarding with there being so many unique pathways that young people can explore. Day in, day out, we see our team working incredibly hard to ensure that we can provide the canal community with everything they need to safety travel through the system. When we asked them to send us any pictures that they have taken during the workday, we were inundated with their favourite shots.

“To help more individuals enter the waterways industry, we launched an apprenticeship scheme so that young people can work and learn at the same time. Our first apprentice, Lewis, is due to graduate this summer and become a full-time member of our team. Since joining in 2022, Lewis has been able to apply the engineering theory he learned in the classroom in the real world to gain a deeper understanding of its application.

“From removing vegetation to repairing the base of the canal, our team understands the positive impact their work has on maintaining this historic infrastructure. With these images, we hope to celebrate their careers on the waterways and the fantastic work they do.”

The Rothen Group is now calling on other organisations in the waterways engineering industry to follow their example and share images from their own teams to showcase the beauty of a career on the canals.

For more information about the Rothen Group, please visit: therothengroup.co.uk