Will Campbell, Head of Sales at Don & Low, discusses how cutting-edge membrane solutions enhance durability, efficiency and sustainability.
Don & Low has a long history in technical textiles. What are the key turning points in that history that have most significantly shaped your current strategic direction?
Don & Low started as a small woven textile manufacturer in Scotland in 1792, progressively developing and extending its manufacturing capacities and technologies. Thanks to large investments and an ongoing pursuit of excellence, we’ve grown into a major vertically integrated manufacturer specialising in producing construction membranes, geotextiles, industrial textiles, and yarns. Our journey has been shaped by a commitment to adaptability and innovation, allowing us to stay ahead of market trends and meet our client’s evolving needs. Don & Low’s achievements in non-woven manufacturing over the last four decades are a testament to this. Today, Don & Low is a trusted name synonymous with quality, reliability and originality. We are certain that our tradition of excellence will continue long into the future.
What competitive advantages does Don & Low hold in a dynamic industry such as construction?
What distinguishes Don & Low is our status as a vertically integrated construction membrane manufacturer in the UK, meaning we manufacture all the membrane components. Don & Low oversees every step of the production process to ensure that the Don & Low building envelope provides reliable, consistent performance on which the industry can rely. Thanks to this level of integration, we are strategically positioned to support the sector’s anticipated growth by providing builders, contractors and architects the right tools to thrive. Vertical integration also translates into fewer supply chain disruptions and all-year-round product availability for projects, regardless of size, anywhere in the UK. Moreover, we offer unrivalled membrane customisation options and a broad range of professional technical services at no cost.
Since you mentioned the Don & Low building envelope, could you tell us more about your products?
Certainly! At Don & Low, we take pride in offering a diverse range of high-quality construction membranes engineered to meet various needs. Roofshield® is, of course, our flagship roofing membrane, with almost 30 years of trusted performance. Don & Low’s advanced roofing underlays include the RoofTX® family of vapour permeable membranes and the MultiTX® family of barrier membranes. These solutions are a vital component of every building by enhancing the performance and longevity of roofs. Reflective membranes such as Reflectashield® and VapourTX® Thermo assist in significantly improving thermal efficiency. We also offer walling membranes such as Frameshield®, vapour control layers (the VapourTX® family of products), flooring membranes like FloorTX®, as well as temporary site protection materials, helping to preserve construction sites during the building process.
Given the global push for sustainable infrastructure, how is Don & Low leveraging its expertise to drive innovation and address the specific environmental challenges within the construction sector?
The construction industry presents a unique blend of challenges and opportunities for innovation that exactly fit our expertise and capacity. As a responsible manufacturer, we recognise construction’s critical role in driving economic growth and shaping more sustainable, energy-efficient living. We use our strengths to develop essential solutions that address industry needs while contributing to a more sustainable future supported by in-house recycling. In fact, the Don & Low building envelope averages at least 20% recycled materials. We also provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) with unbiased, standardised and independently verified information on the membranes’ environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle.
In what ways are you anticipating and adapting to industry needs?
Innovation is in the DNA of Don & Low, driving the company to keep enhancing and evolving its offerings for the construction industry. As a market-led business, an experienced in-house Research and Development (R&D) team is the cornerstone of our innovation efforts. Don & Low’s dedicated team of engineers and scientists focuses on evolving membrane solutions for roofs and walls to accommodate the Future Homes Standard and the ever-more challenging climate conditions. Additionally, we work in partnership with customers and partners to ensure that the company’s innovations align with market demand and deliver tangible value.
How does this translate into product development?
Proshield® exemplifies the innovative efforts of Don & Low remarkably well, as it empowers architects to achieve airtightness in modular and high-rise construction more efficiently than ever before. Our brand-new membrane weighs 270 g/m², with one of its key characteristics being its three-layer structure, featuring an adhesive coating on one side together with a transparent silicone-coated PET release liner. Placed on the outside of a structure, Proshield® acts as a water-resistant and airtight barrier whilst still allowing water vapour to escape. Proshield® stands out from conventional membranes by eliminating the need for primers or additional fixes. It adheres seamlessly to a variety of substrates, including OSB, steel, gypsum board, concrete, aluminium and wood. This adaptability makes Proshield® ideal for use in offsite and high-rise construction, combining straightforward installation with high tensile strength and significantly contributing to a building’s overall performance and longevity.
Furthermore, recent R&D advances have led to an enhancement of Roofshield®. Weighing 196 grams per square metre, Roofshield® is the heaviest air and vapour-permeable roofing underlay available, translating into even better tear strength, durability and protection against extreme weather conditions.