Thermohouse Manufacturing Facility Visit
The Strength of Concrete with the Thermal Efficiency of Insulation, All in One: Insulated Concrete Formwork
The Strength of Concrete with the Thermal Efficiency of Insulation, All in One: Insulated Concrete Formwork
The third Skillnet MMC Accelerate event of 2025 gathered construction professionals, education institutions, and more at Thermohouse’s ICF production facility in Coolcaslagh, Co. Kerry. Speakers presented on how ICF is manufactured; the benefits of using the material; and the lay of the land for building with concrete in Ireland as the country adapts to carbon emission and thermal efficiency regulations. After, attendees joined a site tour of Thermohouse’s manufacturing facility.
Speakers came from industry, representative bodies, and education providers: Dr. Alan Hore, Director of CitA and Co-Lead of Skillnet MMC Accelerate; Órla Gilroy, Project Manager for Skillnet MMC Accelerate; Damien Gleeson, Development & Specification Executive at Thermohouse; Denis Weathers, Sales Executive for Thermohouse; Conor Hayes, Head of Sustainability at the Irish Concrete Federation; and John O’Connor of Clúid Housing.
Co-Lead of Skillnet MMC Accelerate, Dr. Alan Hore, opened the event with an address on the importance of continued innovation in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), powered by the development of industry talent. Órla Gilroy, the programme Project Manager, furthered this point with an explanation of the Skillnet MMC Accelerate scheme. She elaborated on the purpose of the platform and regional business support events to accelerate the adoption of MMC in the building sector by upskilling the workforce, promoting innovation, and increasing inclusion.
“Our mission at Thermohouse is to supply a building system that is not only sustainable but has the ability to provide comfort, security and a cost-effective solution to the homeowner.”
Managing Director at Thermohouse
Conor Hayes, Head of Sustainability at the Irish Concrete Federation, summarised the sustainability considerations in concrete production, including embodied carbon and whole-life cycle assessments of construction and industrial operations. He also pointed out that, contrary to popular belief, building with concrete is not particularly carbon intensive when compared to other forms of construction. He then discussed the role of the Irish Concrete Federation in supporting construction companies finding solutions for developing ‘greener’ concrete and building more sustainably.
John O’Connor of Clúid Housing closed the presentations with an introduction to the housing charity and its purpose to contribute towards “a society where everyone has a great place to live”. He also talked about the sustainable development of housing in line with concepts such as smarter urgan planning and design for a circular economy. He also elaborated on some of the primary Modern Methods of Construction and Clúid Housing’s plans to continue delivering high-quality and sustainable homes for familes and communities in need across the country.
After the conclusion of the speaker addresses and an invigorating audience Q&A, attendees were taken on a site tour to see the process that Thermohouse uses to manufacture and quality check their ICF products while minimising waste.
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