Grenfell firm removed from Kensington and Chelsea ban

Insulation firm Siderise has been removed from a list of firms banned by Kensington and Chelsea council from working for the local authority because of their involvement with the Grenfell Tower refurbishment.

Siderise Insulation Ltd manufactured some of the cavity barriers used on Grenfell Tower’s refurbishment in 2015-16.

It was banned from working for the council at the end of last year after several other firms who worked on the refurbishment, including Rydon and Kingspan, were prohibited in 2021. The blaze claimed 72 lives when the tower caught fire eight years ago.

But Siderise has now been removed from the list and in an update this afternoon (Thursday), the council said: “In response to the Grenfell Inquiry reports, we adopted a policy banning certain suppliers and other companies from being used in our building and refurbishment projects. This policy has been updated so that Siderise Insulation Limited is no longer listed as a banned supplier.”

Earlier this year, Siderise was told it could appeal the decision to ban it, with this hearing having been expected in the High Court this month. It had previously said the council’s decision was “without foundation or justification”.

In a statement, Siderise said: “Following a judicial review process, Siderise is pleased to confirm that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has removed Siderise from a list of suppliers banned from being used on the council’s building and refurbishment projects.

“This decision reflects the fact that Siderise, as supported by the findings of the Grenfell Inquiry report, in no way contributed to the fire or its spread. Siderise was appalled by the dreadful disaster and loss of life at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017 and our sympathies continue to go out to the survivors and families of the bereaved.”