London Build Expo 2024, Olympia London: Vacuum-Insulation for UK Retrofit Momentum
Date: 20 November 2024
Venue: Olympia London — Grand & National Halls, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
Event page: https://www.londonbuildexpo.com/london-build-fire-security-expo
Represented by: Professor Saim Memon, CEO of Sanyou London
What happened?
Sanyou London took part in London Build Expo 2024, the UK’s leading construction and built-environment event. The show gathered distributors, contractors, developers, venue owners and public-sector representatives to exchange practical ideas on technology, sustainability and delivery under tight budget conditions.
What did the market tell us on the floor?
Conversations across stands and meeting areas were consistent and clear:
- High demand for thin, high-performance insulation: Attendees highlighted Vacuum Insulated Wallpaper (VIW) and Decorative Integrated VIP (DVIP) as uniquely suited to space-constrained retrofit with minimal disruption.
- No like-for-like alternative observed: Buyers and technical leads remarked that, within the exhibition, there was no directly comparable solution that combines millimetre-scale thickness with very low effective conductivity and deployability for occupied buildings.
- Compliance unlocks scale: Procurement teams stressed that UKCA certification is the decisive trigger for framework inclusion and large-volume orders. Multiple distributors and builders requested post-show follow-ups aligned to compliance milestones.
Why does this matter to UK housing and public estates?
The UK faces a pressing retrofit challenge—council buildings and a wide base of uninsulated homes continue to lose heat, raising bills and emissions. Where floor area, heritage constraints or occupancy limit conventional approaches, VIW and DVIP offer a slim, fast-install route to lower U-values, reduced HVAC load and improved comfort.
What solutions were discussed?
- Vacuum Insulated Wallpaper (VIW): ultra-thin internal layer for flats, corridors, meeting rooms and hard-to-treat spaces; rapid install with minimal disruption.
- Decorative Integrated VIP (DVIP): external wall insulation/external cladding with weatherable finishes for modular units and façade upgrades.
- Flexible VIP options: conformable panels to close thermal bridges around reveals, services and curved geometries.
- VIBB (Vacuum-Insulated Bag-or-Box): passive hot/cold logistics for site catering and sample transport, reducing waste from temperature excursions.
What we valued about the event
The expo delivered useful workshops, networking and a Sustainability Summit that aligned closely with sector needs. A minor observation, echoed by several attendees: entertainment elements (music and performances) are energising, yet they should not drown out technical dialogue; a slightly calmer sound profile would further improve deal-making and knowledge exchange.
Next steps
Sanyou London is scheduling technical reviews and pilot proposals with councils, housing associations and principal contractors to:
- quantify heating-cost reductions and comfort gains using VIW/DVIP;
- map UKCA compliance timelines to procurement windows;
- prepare specification packs for framework bids and regional roll-outs across the UK and EU.
Work with Sanyou London
- Spec sheets, samples and pilots: VIW, DVIP, Flexible VIP and VIBB for housing, public buildings and commercial estates.
- Partnerships: distributors, contractors, developers and estates teams seeking fast, space-efficient energy savings.
Contact: Visit www.sanyoulondon.com for specifications, pricing, videos and FAQs, or reach Sanyou London Customer Service.
Media & speaking enquiries: Professor Saim Memon
Share