Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

US: Knauf Insulation's plant in Huguley Industrial Park, Alabama will double its production capacity in June 2015, according to Aaron Wine, plant manager. The plant currently produces 200t/day of insulation. With the expansion, that capacity will grow to 400t/day.

During the housing slowdown Knauf shuttered its Lanett plant, which was put back into operation in 2013. According to Wine, the plant makes batts of insulation and blow-in wool. With the new line that is being installed, the Lanett plant will have the capability to produce rolls of insulation as well. When the new line goes online, employment will grow to 215.

Serbia: Masterplast, a major producer of thermal insulation materials in Central and Eastern Europe, has announced that it plans to expand its plant located in Szabadka, Serbia. Masterplast will invest Euro400,000 of its own resources in the expansion and will launch trial production in its second fibreglass plant. 

Tajikistan: Knauf is seeking to expand its operations in Tajikistan, according to the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

According to the Tajik MFA information department, issues related to cooperation between Tajikistan and Knauf International were discussed at a meeting of the Tajik Ambassador to Germany, Imomuddin Sattorov, with Alexander Blumhardt, Executive Manager CIS, Knauf International that took place in Berlin, Germany on 18 June 2013. The sides reportedly discussed participation of Knauf in projects for production of building materials in Tajikistan.

Blumhardt briefed the Tajik diplomat on investment policy of the company and prospects of further expansion of its operations in Tajikistan. He noted that Knauf was interested in participation in development of gypsum deposits in Tajikistan and production of building materials from domestic raw materials with getting local labour resources involved in the work. The sides also discussed the upcoming visit of the Knauf delegation to Tajikistan.