Aluminium composite panels (ACP) — A2 fire-rated cladding, factory-direct from China to Ireland
Aluminium composite panels are the standard rainscreen cladding for commercial buildings, signage, and architectural feature walls. Post-Grenfell, A2 fire-rated cores (non-combustible mineral filler) are now required on most buildings above 18m in Ireland and the UK. Ériu Sourcing buys ACP direct from Shanghai and Jiangsu factories for Irish cladding contractors, façade installers, signage companies, and architects.
Last reviewed:
- Shanghai and Jiangsu Province Manufacturing region
- 4–6 weeks production Production lead time
- EN + CE Compliance verified at factory
Shanghai and Jiangsu Province (Changshu cluster)
The Shanghai–Jiangsu ACP cluster contains the largest A2-rated panel production lines in the world, supplying the European, Middle Eastern, and Australian markets. Several factories produce private-label panels for Alpolic, Reynobond, and Etalbond — direct access means buying the same A2-cored, PVDF-coated panel at the factory price.
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Built for Irish trade buyers, not consumers
- ✓ Commercial façade and cladding contractors
- ✓ Signage and shop-front fabricators
- ✓ Architects and specifiers (private-label for projects)
- ✓ Modular building and container construction
- ✓ Internal feature wall and ceiling installers
Technical specification
| Standard thickness | 3 mm, 4 mm (most common), 6 mm; custom up to 8 mm |
|---|---|
| Aluminium skin | 0.3 mm / 0.4 mm / 0.5 mm (specify for project — 0.5 mm standard for façade) |
| Core type | A2 non-combustible mineral core (Euroclass A2-s1,d0); FR-B fire-retardant; standard PE (interior signage only) |
| Panel size | 1220 × 2440 mm (standard), 1500 × 4000 mm available, custom cut-to-length |
| Surface coating | PVDF (Kynar 500, 25-year warranty), polyester, mirror, brushed, wood-grain, stone-effect |
| Colour | Full RAL range; bespoke colour matching with sample fee |
| MOQ | ~1,500 m² per panel spec (one 40ft container) |
What we verify at the factory — before the container is sealed
- EN 13501-1 — Reaction-to-fire classification (A2-s1,d0 for non-combustible)
- EN 14782 — Self-supporting metal sheet for roofing, cladding and lining
- EN ISO 1716 — Calorific value testing (for A2 declaration)
- CE marking + Declaration of Performance per CPR (EU) 305/2011
- BBA / FM Approvals available on specific panel lines for façade insurance compliance
- PVDF coating warranty (25 years on colour stability) from coating supplier (PPG, Valspar)
Goods that fail compliance or pre-shipment QC stay in China at the factory's cost — you do not pay freight on non-compliant product.
Ask about compliance documentation →What this lands at in Ireland
A2 fire-rated ACP from Shanghai and Jiangsu typically lands in Ireland 35–50% below quotes from Alpolic, Reynobond, or Etalbond trade dealers for equivalent specification — after EU import duty, sea freight, and customs. The saving is largest on large-volume façade orders (1,000+ m²) where Irish trade pricing includes substantial project-cost margin.
Lead time and logistics
Lead time: 4–6 weeks production + 4–5 weeks sea freight (Shanghai/Ningbo → Dublin).
Panels ship horizontally in wooden crates with protective film and corner protectors. A 40ft HQ container holds approximately 1,800–2,200 m² of 4 mm panel depending on size. Heavy orders ship as multiple containers or break-bulk. Ériu Sourcing arranges Dublin Port clearance and onward kerbside delivery to the project site.
Construction Materials — sourcing questions answered
What fire rating do I need for ACP cladding on an Irish building?
Per Irish Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document B (and post-Grenfell EU-wide tightening), buildings above 18 m typically require A2-s1,d0 or better external cladding. Below 18 m, B-s3,d0 or better may be acceptable depending on use class. A2 mineral-core ACP is the safe specification for any commercial façade project. PE-cored panels (standard polyethylene) are appropriate for internal signage only — never for external cladding on habitable buildings.
Is the A2 fire rating on Chinese ACP credible?
When verified at the factory, yes. The A2 rating requires laboratory testing under EN 13501-1 — Ériu Sourcing only quotes factories with current EN 13501-1 test reports issued by an EU-recognised notified body (commonly Warringtonfire, Exova, or DGNB). Chinese-issued certificates without EU notified-body backing are rejected at the quote stage. The genuine A2 panels carry the test report number on the DoP.
How do PVDF and polyester coatings differ for façade use?
PVDF (commonly Kynar 500 or Hylar 5000) is the architectural-grade coating — 25-year colour stability warranty, resistant to UV, pollution, and chemical attack. Polyester coatings are cheaper but degrade visibly in 8–12 years on south-facing façades. For external commercial work in the Irish climate, PVDF is the standard specification. Polyester is appropriate for sheltered internal applications and short-life signage.
Can I get bespoke colours and finishes matched to a project?
Yes. Factories produce in the full RAL range as standard. Bespoke colour matching requires submitting a sample chip (or a recognised colour reference) and pays a one-off matching fee of €200–€500. Special finishes — brushed, mirror, anodised-look, stone-effect, wood-grain — add 10–25% to the panel price but are routinely available within the same lead time.
What container quantity is realistic for a typical Irish commercial project?
A medium commercial façade project (1,500–2,500 m²) typically fills one 40ft HQ container. Larger projects ship as 2–3 containers staged over the install programme. For small projects (under 1,000 m²), Ériu Sourcing can consolidate the order with other Irish or European buyers to share container weight — this loses some scheduling flexibility but preserves the factory-direct pricing.
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