Displaying items by tag: XPS
US: Owens Corning commenced construction of its planned US$60m Russellville extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation plant in Arkansas. When commissioned in 2025, the plant will employ 50 people and produce Owens Corning’s Foamular NGX XPS insulation. Local press has reported that the move represents the company’s third expansion in Arkansas since the start of 2022. It has been present in the state since 1985.
Owens Corning vice president and general manager, foam insulation, Rodney Wideman said "This new plant and today's groundbreaking ceremony represents commitment to our customers' growth and the Russellville community.”
EU: The European Union (EU) is holding a consultation over possible changes to the limit on the use of hexabromocyclododecane, a brominated flame retardant (BFR) in consumer products. This includes expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation. The consultation will run until 26 December 2023.
Swisspor Group to acquire BriothermXPS
14 November 2023Romania: Switzerland-based Swisspor Group has concluded a deal to acquire extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation producer BriothermXPS. BriothermXPS sells its insulation across Central and Southeast Europe. Swisspor Group thanked its deal coordinator Concilium Consulting for helping it to conclude the agreement ‘despite a challenging market environment and complex transaction structure.’
Masterplast’s sales fall as earnings slip into the negative in first nine months of 2023
26 October 2023Hungary: Masterplast reported sales worth Euro114m during the first nine months of 2023. This represents a year-on-year decline of 31% from Euro164m in the corresponding period in 2022. The producer’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) losses were Euro2.93m, compared to a positive figure of Euro19.3m. During the third quarter of 2023, sales declined in Hungary by 45% and across its export markets by 26%. They rose by 21% in Poland, by 8% in Croatia and by 2% in Ukraine.
Masterplast attributed its sales decline to low demand due to global inflation and rising interest rates amid on-going lockdowns, energy crises and war in Ukraine, while energy-saving renovation initiatives have also been subject to delays. The company set a savings target of Euro2m/yr and laid off 250 employees, including 210 from its plants in Serbia. It completed the construction of new expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) capacity in Italy and Serbia, which it expects to bring online later in 2023.
Uzbekistan: Russia-based TechnoNICOL to invest US$13.1m in the construction of a new extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation plant in Angren. AK&M News has reported that the plant will have a capacity of 300,000m2/yr. It will produce TechnoNICOL’s range of 20 – 120mm-thick XPS insulation. Construction will commence in 2024 and the plant will employ 50 people when operational.
Austrotherm to raise prices in September 2023
30 August 2023Austria: Austrotherm plans to raise the prices of its expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation products by up to 15% from 25 September 2023. The insulation producer said earlier in August 2023 that production reductions and unexpected plant shutdowns had increased the costs of its main raw materials.
Austrotherm commissions Calan EPS insulation plant
25 November 2022Romania: Austrotherm has commissioned its third Romanian insulation plant in Calan, near Deva, Hunedoara County. The new Euro6m facility will produce the company's Austrotherm EPS and Austrotherm EPS-Plus expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation, and also houses office spaces and storehouses. Sales manager Roxana Ghioca said that the storage capacity will enable the site to supply the Transylvanian market with Austrotherm's EPS and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation product offering.
Austrotherm managing director Klaus Haberfellner said “Transylvania is among the Central and Northwestern Romanian regions currently with a good economic situation. One third of Austrotherm Romania's topwinds are generated in this region. The existing EPS plants - which are situated a long distance from this have already reached their capacity limit." Addressing Romania's need for insulation, Haberfellner said "If not now, when does saving energy make more sense? The dramatic increase in energy prices has long since arrived in Romania."
Austrotherm to acquire Zentyss
27 October 2022Romania: Austria-based Austrotherm has concluded an agreement to acquire 100% ownership of extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation panels producer Zentyss. Zentyss operates a plant in Arad, Transylvania.
Austrotherm managing director Klaus Haberfellner said "This acquisition increases the security of supply and the range of products for customers in Romania and neighboring countries. The central location of Arad enables the optimisation of transport routes to customers, which means that CO2 emissions can be massively reduced." He concluded "Our leadership position in XPS in Romania is now well secured. I am particularly pleased to welcome 106 new colleagues to our company."
Kingspan acquires Invespanel
03 October 2022Spain: Ireland-based Kingspan has acquires mineral wool-based sandwich panel producer Invespanel. Invespanel’s panels include extruded polystyrene (XPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS)-core refrigeration panels, and the company continually develops new sandwich panels for various applications. Invespanel recorded a turnover of Euro11m in 2021.
Kingspan’s Southern Europe insulated panels director Josep Jordan said “The integration of Invespanel into Kingspan is a great opportunity to complement our offerings with customised products for even the most demanding applications. The synergies with the Kingspan group, together with Invespanel's technological know-how and human capital, will be the key tool to drive the growth of our project in Southern Europe.”
Austrotherm to raises prices
15 March 2022Austria: Austrotherm plans to raise the prices of its extruded polystyrene (EPS) insulation and expanded polystyrene (XPS) insulation products in response to “very strong” increases in raw materials, energy and transport costs. The latest round of price increase will take effect in early April 2022. The producer added that it could not rule out re-introducing monthly quantity quotas if order intake remained high.