Denmark: Rockwool International has reported that its net sales rose by 2% year-on-year to Euro494m for the second quarter of 2013 that ended on 30 June 2013. It attributed the rebound to a recovery in the western European insulation market, especially in Spain, Italy and the UK.
The Danish insulation producer saw its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rise by 4% to Euro75.6m from Euro7.24m. Profit for the period rose by 8% to Euro26m from Euro24.1m.
In its income statement Rockwool explained that as well as improvements in western European markets it had also seen development in Poland and continued good sales in Russia. Sales in North American remained strong but sales in China disappointed the insulation producer, due to uncertain legislation on the mandatory use of non-mineral wool insulation.
As Reuters reported, from an interview with Rockwool CEO Eelco van Heel, China's changing legislation on non-mineral wool insulation lost the company an order for 25,000t of stone wool placed in late 2012. As a consequence, Rockwool is postponing the construction of a planned factory in China, where it acquired its first and so far only factory in 2010.
For its outlook for the remainder of 2013, Rockwool expects that its net sales will slightly surpass those of 2012.
