KOROK’s Sustainability Journey

Check out the time-line of KOROK's sustainability journey — from reducing waste and increasing manufacturing efficiency, through to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs):

2001: KOROK launches into New Zealand Market.

Between 2001 and 2017:

KOROK, initially launched in New Zealand as SPEEDWALL, focused on improving construction with streamlined systems that reduced waste, minimised lining needs, and boosted efficiency. KOROK's commitment to sustainability has been integral since the start.

Manufacturing efficiency: Upgraded technologies to reduce energy use and optimise resources.
Wastewater management: A modern treatment plant for recycling and reducing water impact.
By-product reduction: Enhanced recycling processes to minimise waste.

2017: DECLARE Label

In 2017, KOROK obtained the DECLARE Label, listing the ingredients in their products and aligning with the LEED green building rating system. This helped them meet industry standards and be included in GreenStar and HomeStar ratings.

April 2021: Joining NZ Green Building Council

In April 2021, KOROK joined the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), supporting eco-friendly building practices.

December 2021: Environmental Choice New Zealand Licence

By December 2021, KOROK obtained the Environmental Choice New Zealand Licence (now known as Eco Choice Aotearoa), recognising their products as better for the environment, enhancing their credibility among architects and builders and helping them gain accreditation for GreenStar and HomeStar products.

March 2023: Carbon Footprint Analysis

In March 2023, KOROK conducted a carbon footprint analysis of their panels, meeting market demands and preparing for new NZ Building Code regulations.

April 2023: VOC Emissions Analysis

KOROK analysed VOC emissions from their sealants in April 2023, addressing health concerns and meeting the demands of architects.

July 2024: Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

In July 2024, KOROK completed their Galv Panel Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), followed by their Colour Panel EPD in August, providing a verified summary of their product’s environmental impact over their life cycle. These EPDs are recognised internationally and often specified in tender documents and contracts.

Ongoing Carbon Reduction Efforts

KOROK's commitment to sustainability includes ongoing initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint:

Upgrading lighting to LEDs
Converting forklifts from LPG to battery power
Recycling steel scrap
Recycling office and kitchen waste
Repurposing leftover concrete for clean fill
Exploring options to reuse leftover concrete and alternative fibres
Continuously reviewing and reducing printing
Factory looking at swapping from cheap throwaway pneumatic punches to something more robust (May 24)

Even though an EPD is valid for five years, KOROK will constantly review theirs. KOROK are looking forward to the changes that NZ Steel have planned for next year, moving from BOF furnaces (primary) to EAF furnaces (secondary). This will have a very positive impact on KOROK's Carbon footprint.

KOROK's sustainability efforts highlight their commitment to reducing their environmental footprint. From the DECLARE Label to their EPDs, KOROK continuously strive for improvement, aiming for a greener, more sustainable future.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)

KOROK are proud to announce the completion of their Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), a testament to their commitment to transparency and sustainability. One for their Galv panel and one for their Colour panel.

What is an EPD?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a certified, independently verified summary of a product's environmental impact over its entire life cycle. It evaluates:

The materials extracted from the earth
Energy used in the production, transportation and installation
The environmental impacts of using, disposing, or recycling the product

The EPD covers a range of environmental indicators, including the potential for carbon emissions, air and water pollution, and depletion of natural resources. Based on international standards (ISO 14025 and EN 15804 for building materials), KOROK's EPD is independently verified, making it a trusted and reputable source of information. It is recognised by industries, companies, and governments, and is often specified in tender documents and contracts.

For more info, including KOROK's EPDs, visit korok.com/sustainability

External Wall Systems

KOROK

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The KOROK External Wall Systems are all-in-one wall solutions for fire, acoustic and weather protection in external applications.

Declared LBC Red List Approved

Eco Choice Aotearoa

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

NZ Made

Fire ratings up to –/240/240
Acoustic ratings up to STC 76

Along with External and boundary walls for sheds, factories and warehouses, KOROK systems are suitable for:

Dividing walls for sheds, factories and warehouses
Cinema walls
Intertenancy walls for apartments, hotels and retirement complexes
Lift shaft, stair and duct walls
Acoustic barriers
External and boundary walls for sheds, factories and warehouses
Terraced housing intertenancy

KOROK systems are suitable for all areas of New Zealand

CLAUSE B1 STRUCTURE: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2 and B1.3.4. The KOROK External Wall System meets the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep and shrinkage [i.e. B1.3.3 (a), (f), (h), (i), (j) and (q)].
CLAUSE B2 DURABILITY: Performance B2.3.1 (b), 15 years, Performance B2.3.1 (c), 5 years. The KOROK External Wall Systems meet these requirements.
CLAUSE C3 FIRE AFFECTING AREAS BEYOND THE FIRE SOURCE: Performance C3.4, C3.5 andC3.6. The KOROK External Wall Systems will meet or contribute to meeting these requirements.
CLAUSE C6 STRUCTURAL STABILITY: Compliance with (NZBC) Clause C6 'Structural Stability' In order to satisfy the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (clause C6) relating to Structural Stability designers must ensure that KOROK elements are supported by primary elements that have at least the same fire rating as the KOROK system that is used.
Where the primary elements supporting the KOROK system are outside the fire cell, there is no requirement to apply the same FRR as the KOROK® system. Notwithstanding, post fire stability requirements of the NZBC must also be satisfied
CLAUSE E2 EXTERNAL MOISTURE: Performance E2.3.2. The KOROK External Wall Systems will meet this requirement
CLAUSE F6 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS: Performance F2.3.1. The KOROK External Wall Systems meet this requirement and will not present a health hazard to people.

BRANZ Appraised

Intertenancy Apartment Systems

KOROK

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Conventional framed wall systems rely on their linings to provide fire resistance and acoustic control performance.

Declared LBC Red List Approved

Eco Choice Aotearoa

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

NZ Made

Installed vertically
Fire ratings up to -/120/120
Acoustic ratings up to STC 68

Along with Terraced Housing Intertenancy, KOROK systems are suitable for:

Dividing walls for sheds, factories and warehouses
Cinema walls
Intertenancy walls for apartments, hotels and retirement complexes
Lift shaft, stair and duct walls
Acoustic barriers
External and boundary walls for sheds, factories and warehouses

KOROK systems are suitable for all areas of New Zealand.

The NZBC sets out both the legal minimum sound transmission between tenancies (Clause G6) and minimum levels of fire resistance (Clauses C3 and C6). The KOROK Intertenancy Systems Manual provides guidance on the specification and construction of systems that will both meet and exceed those minimum levels. However, designers should consider the comfort of occupants when selecting a system that will satisfy the occupants' expectations when using the space rather than the minimum required by law.

NZBC:

Clause B1: Structure — The KOROK Systems meet the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep and shrinkage
Clause B2: Durability — Under normal conditions of dry internal use KOROK Intertenancy Systems have a serviceable life in excess of 50 years and satisfy the requirements of NZBC Clause B2 Durability
Clauses C3: Fire Affecting Areas Beyond the Source — KOROK Intertenancy Systems can be used to provide passive fire protection in accordance with the requirements of NZBC Clause 3: Spread of Fire
Clause C6: Structural Stability —Compliance with (NZBC) Clause C6 'Structural Stability'. In order to satisfy the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (clause 6) relating to Structural Stability designers must ensure that KOROK elements are supported by primary elements that have at least the same fire rating as the KOROK system that is used
Where the primary elements supporting the KOROK system are outside the fire cell, there is no requirement to apply the same FRR as the KOROK system. Notwithstanding, post fire stability requirements of the NZBC must also be satisfied
Clause G6: Airborne and Impact Sound — KOROK Intertenancy Systems, both meet and exceed the minimum requirements outlined in NZBC Clause G6. Consideration should be given to both the minimum requirements and the comfort of occupants

BRANZ Appraised

Scissor Stair Wall Systems — Fire Rated Protection

KOROK

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For fire protection and acoustic performance, KOROK® has two-way fire-rated wall systems for fire separation of scissor or other stairs.

Declared LBC Red List Approved

Eco Choice Aotearoa

Post-Consumer Recyclable Content

NZ Made

The KOROK® Scissor Stair Systems detailed should cover most common situations where fire resistance is required.

KOROK® Scissor Stair Systems are walls constructed from 78mm thick, horizontally and/or vertically oriented KOROK® panels installed between two independent stair stringers in scissor stair configurations.

KOROK® wall systems are self-supporting non-load bearing walls that may be constructed with horizontally or vertically stacked panels, or a combination of both.

The NZBC sets out both the legal minimum sound transmission between tenancies (Clause G6) and minimum levels of fire resistance (Clauses C3 and C6). The KOROK® Scissor Stair Systems Manual provides guidance on the specification and construction of systems that will both meet and exceed those minimum levels.

NZBC Clause B1 — Structure: The KOROK® Scissor Stair Systems meet the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, earthquake, wind, impact and creep and shrinkage.
NZBC Clause B2 – Durability: Under normal conditions of dry internal use, KOROK® Scissor Stair Systems have a serviceable life in excess of 50 years and satisfy the requirements of NZBC Clause B2 – Durability.
NZBC Clause C3 — Fire affecting areas beyond the source: KOROK® Scissor Stair Systems can be used to provide passive fire protection in accordance with the requirements of NZBC Clause 3 – Spread of Fire.
NZBC Clause C6 — Structural Stability: Compliance with (NZBC) Clause C6 ‘Structural Stability’. In order to satisfy the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code (Clause C6) relating to “structural stability” designers must ensure that KOROK® elements are supported by primary elements that have at least the same fire rating as the KOROK® Scissor Stair System that is used. Where the primary elements supporting the KOROK® Scissor Stair System are outside the f ire cell, there is no requirement to apply the same FRR as the KOROK® Scissor Stair System. Notwithstanding, post fire stability requirements of the NZBC must also be satisfied.
NZBC Clause F2 — Hazardous Building Materials: KOROK® Scissor Stair Systems meet this requirement and will not present a health hazard to people.
NZBC Clause G6 — Airborne and Impact Sound: KOROK® Scissor Stair Systems, both meet and exceed the minimum requirements outlined in NZBC Clause G6. Consideration must be given to both the minimum requirements and the comfort of occupants.

BRANZ Appraised

Lift Shafts, Risers, Ducts

KOROK

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For lift shafts and duct walls, KOROK® offers significant advantages over traditional construction.

Declared LBC Red List Approved

Eco Choice Aotearoa

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

For lift shafts and duct walls
Panels can be installed from one side only and before the building is watertight

BRANZ Appraised

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