Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Saudi Arabia: Knauf Exeed Insulation has won a contract to provide insulation to reduce the noise levels at Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque as it undergoes extension.

"We are proud to be part of this historic project. The Grand Mosque is the main attraction for over 16 million pilgrims who enter Makkah each year. Our challenge is to provide noise reduction for the worshippers using the most sustainable eco-friendly insulation materials," said Daniele Cerutti, general manager of Knauf Exeed Insulation. "The consultants and the contractors opted for KB blanket insulation, a lightweight blanket of glasswool bonded with Ecose technology. In line with sustainable practices, Ecose uses natural and more sustainable organic materials than the non-renewable, phenol-formaldehyde or acrylic based resins traditionally used."

Saudi Arabia: During a field inspection in Riyadh, the supervisory teams of the Commerce Ministry shut down three thermal insulation factories that were manufacturing flawed products. Samples taken by the teams proved that the insulation products did not comply with the required energy-efficiency specifications and standards of insulation materials. The Ministry has halted six production lines at the plants and confiscated 1500 product units. Plant managers were summoned by the Ministry for further inquiries. If found guilty of negligence, they could face severe fines or in some cases imprisonment.

Saudi Arabia: Thermal insulation in buildings will soon be mandatory in 23 cities and towns across Saudi Arabia. Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Prince Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz, said that the measures would be a pre-requisite when applying for electricity connections.

Municipalities and engineering consultants will coordinate with Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to implement the policy. If any building fails to install insulation, it won't be able to subscribe for power supply and the Municipality will also not approve permanent permission. An exclusive integrated system will be developed between Municipalities and SEC to verify the installation.

Thermal insulation is used to protect the buildings from excessive heat during peak summer time. It reduces the pace of heat transfer inside the building through the walls and roof and as a result, saves about 40% of energy in air-conditioning. The decision will increase construction costs, but will reduce power consumption.

Air-conditioners account for about 70% of electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia and with more than 1.5 million new homes needed to keep pace with population growth, domestic energy demand is anticipated to double by 2030, according to the SEC.

Saudi Arabia: Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, governor of the Eastern Province, officially inaugurated the new Arabian Fibreglass Insulation Co Ltd (AFICO) factory in Dammam Second Industrial City on 15 January 2014.

The new factory has an installed capacity of 24,000Mt/yr, increasing the company's total manufacturing capacity in its combined plants to 37,000Mt/yr. The new plant will manufacture products primarily for use in the construction industry.

The additional production capacity will enable AFICO to introduce energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly fibreglass insulation products to the marketplace. The products are expected to assist local governing authorities in the GCC countries to implement more stringent building code requirements that are aimed at increasing energy-efficiency and improving fire safety standards.

The new plant has successfully completed the pilot production process and has commenced commercial production of fibreglass insulation materials. The Prince expressed his pride and admiration for this advanced industrial facility and its contribution to the support of existing industrial projects in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi International Insulation Manufacturing Company (SIIMCO), a joint venture equally owned by Alghanim Industries and Saint-Gobain, has signed an agreement with the Yanbu Royal Commission to lease a 65,000m² site at Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah, Saudi Arabia for 30 years. Construction of plant is expected to begin in August 2013 and it is planned to be operational by early 2014.

"Our joint venture investment at Yanbu will supply local and regional industrial and building areas with a reliable source of high quality insulation, which is both environmentally-friendly and will assist in improving the fire safety of buildings," said Omar Alghanim, chief executive of Alghanim Industries. The agreement follows a comprehensive review of the environmental impact and approval for plant layouts, building structure and utilities from the Yanbu local authorities.

SIIMCO has invested about Euro45m in the project. When completed it will have a production capacity of 60,000Mt/yr, building minderal wool, thermal and acoustical insulation materials. The plant is intended to serve markets in Saudi Arabia and other regional markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council region such as Egypt and Iraq.

Saudi Arabia: Arabian Fiberglass Insulation (AFICO), a joint-venture between Owens Corning and Zamil Industrial Investment, has inaugurated its new fibreglass manufacturing plant costing US$50m in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

The plant has an installed insulation production capacity of 24,000Mt/yr, increasing the company's total capacity to 37,000Mt/yr. The additional capacity is intended to assist local governing authorities in the Gulf Cooperation Countries with on-going efforts to implement more stringent building code requirements aimed at increased energy efficiency and fire safety standards.

AFICO has been a leading regional manufacturer of fibreglass insulation products since 1982, utilising the know-how and technical specifications of Owens Corning under license.